How do we diagnose laminitis?

Venogram

Normal appearance of the foot

Diagnosis can usually be made based on a combination of clinical signs (listed above) and history, although it is best to confirm this diagnosis with radiographs (x-rays). Radiographs not only inform you about the severity of the episode (and can often be surprisingly normal or abnormal), but also help us to create the best treatment plan. They also serve as a method of comparison for future episodes of laminitis. Another additional procedure that can be performed is a venogram. For this, a dye is injected into the veins that run down to the foot. This is performed to determine if the blood supply to the coffin bone has been compromised.

Rotation of the coffin bone

Bone remodeling at the tip of the coffin bone