How to get a definite laminitis diagnosis

[Poppy2003]

Morning.
I am waiting for the vet to call back and advise but what is the best way to know for sure if a horse has laminitis or not?
We have been back and forth for weeks now. Initially treated as possible laminitis but also could be navicular or similar (lots of previous joint issues like arthritis).
He’s been pretty much back to normal for a couple of weeks management wise and bute was reduced to nothing then I’ve noticed a few lame steps again. Went back on bute last night and he was sound this morning. So I feel we need to establish if this is laminitis or not as that would be managed very differently to something like arthritis. Would x rays be the definite route? Or is there a blood test?
Thanks ?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would ask the farrier's opinion, if your vet can't tell you.

 

[ester]

You need X-rays

 

[TPO]

X rays and possibly also bloods to see if there is EMS/Cushings type things going on

 

[rabatsa]

If in doubt I would treat as if laminitic, that way you should not do any harm.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You need x rays done and bloods if you suspect cushings or ems.

 

[nutjob]

If in doubt I would treat as if laminitic, that way you should not do any harm.

This. I would at least get him off grass in the short term until you get a better idea. Where I am, it's growing like mad at the moment with the warm wet weather.

 

[Birker2020]

Morning.
I am waiting for the vet to call back and advise but what is the best way to know for sure if a horse has laminitis or not?
We have been back and forth for weeks now. Initially treated as possible laminitis but also could be navicular or similar (lots of previous joint issues like arthritis).
He’s been pretty much back to normal for a couple of weeks management wise and bute was reduced to nothing then I’ve noticed a few lame steps again. Went back on bute last night and he was sound this morning. So I feel we need to establish if this is laminitis or not as that would be managed very differently to something like arthritis. Would x rays be the definite route? Or is there a blood test?
Thanks ?

Are you sure its not coffin joint arthritis, which would cause a bounding pulse and for the horse to life one foot then the other to shift weight constantly (mimics laminitis quite well)?

 

[TGM]

If the lameness has come back again after the rain we've had then that makes it more likely to be laminitis, as the rain will have triggered a flush of grass (assuming horse has access to grazing). But ditto the advice above about asking for x-rays and blood tests.