Laminitis and x-rays! Please advice!

[luckyjac]

Hi everyone, was wondering if anyone could shed some light on when they had there laminitics feet x rayed??
My mare (who is 22 and was doing extremely well up until injuring her check ligament) was diagnosed with laminitis for the first time 5 weeks ago, when vet visited he said see how she goes and if no improvement in 2 weeks we will x ray her feet. There has been a tremendous improvement, I would say she is back to normal now, she has been on box rest the whole time, I have tried her in a small sand paddock but she does get quite aggitated and managed to get into a trot in there, she also scrapes alot, should i worry about these 2 things???
Anyway, I really dont know whether to get her feet x rayed, does it just tell you if there is movement of the pedal bone or does it show other damage??? I would love to just be able to have a poodle around the block on her in the future so want to do it all right, despite her check ligament injury a few weeks prior to the lami, i am hoping this will be possible!
Vet has said he has been attending 2 bad cases of laminitis a day recently, so do all these people get their feet xrayed?
Please tell me your experiences/thoughts. Thanks x

 

[Andalucian]

It depends how deep your pockets are!!! x-rays are a useful tool in how to balance and care for the feet, you can see if there is rotation for example, but a good farrier/trimmer should be able to see this from the outside of the foot.

If it were me, I'd take heart from the fact that she's improving and keep her as quiet as possible, on a very laminitis safe diet and with regular foot care, i.e. every 3-5 weeks. Keep in touch with your vet regarding any issues that concern you. If she deteriorates at all, that would be the time to x-ray I think. Your vet will advise no doubt.

X-rays are only relevant at the time they're taken, in cases like this the foot can change pretty fast inside once the balance and diet are resolved.

The toe dragging doesn't sound like laminitis, was this evident before she had it?

 

[finefilly2010]

Hi there, like you my boy also suffered a bout of laminitis for the first time 5 weeks ago and he seems to be pretty much back to normal now. My vet came out last week and we discussed x-rays (they were not done at the initial few call outs as I was away on holiday and my friend was caring for him, she wanted to see how he progressed before going down that route). Despite his major improvement over the last week or so, I have decided to have his feet x-rayed so I can see any damage that may have been caused. My vet suggested this would be a useful tool as should he ever have another bout in the future (which fingers crossed he will not as the strict laminitis regime is to begin!!) they can be used as a comparison to see any progressive damage etc.
It is entirely up to you whether you have them done but I know I would rather know if any damage has been done so that the right remedies can be administered (feet trimming etc) and so that I am aware of the condition of his feet.

 

[luckyjac]

yes i agree, sometimes I am over the top and just wanted other opinions in case i am spending unnecessary money, but you are right it is useful!
So...if I have them x rayed now, could there be further movement for no reason (no reason being another episode of laminitis)????
And could the movement have changed from 5 weeks ago???? would it have been better to do it straight away??? Also, (sorry for all questions) does an x ray show the damage to the laminae???

 

[Ashgrove]

My horse is into her second week of box rest due to laminitis

My vet suggested that we X rayed all 4 feet on the second day, this was done and showed that her back feet are fine, although are still tender, but her front feet have some rotation.

Before I start turning her out or riding her again I'd like to have her front feet Xrayed again for peace of mind.

 

[Andalucian]

And could the movement have changed from 5 weeks ago???? would it have been better to do it straight away??? Also, (sorry for all questions) does an x ray show the damage to the laminae???

Yes they could have changed from 5 weeks ago, laminitis has no hard and fast rules, until the cause has been removed the foot can continue to change inside. Once you have control of the cause, correct foot balance and a deep comfortable bed things should start to improve, but there is always the exception to the rule I'm afraid.
The x-ray will show the stretch in the laminae, and if gas pockets are evident, but not actual damage as they show up bones not soft tissue. The stretch and gas pockets will grow out if the balance is right and cause of laminitis removed.

 

[GingerCat]

My gelding has had laminitis twice (linked to metabolic problems and both times whilst on boxrest), each time his xrays were done about 4 or 5 days after diagnosis as an aid to the correct fitting of heartbar shoes.
The xrays from the current bout, which is two years after the first, have shown that there is very little movement from the first which has been reassurring, although this time things are taking much longer to improve.

 

[B. D]

Hi,
My pony had laminitis and tested for cushings (which came back negative) she was shod with heart bar front shoes and 12 months later had not improved at all. x rays were then taken and the pedal bone was seen to have rotated. She was then diagnosed with cushings (positive) and prescribed prascend. One year later she has been diagnosed with EMS and the x rays taken recently show no improvement in her front feet. I then changed my Farrier but always had the same Vet visiting regularly. The treatment is now shoes off and heels cut down and toe of hoof wall cut back - this is the treatment I agree with - it makes sense.
Why did my pony not get (what I consider) the appropriate treatment right at the begining? Why are heart bar shoes used when it is clear that the horse is uncomfortable being on its toes?

 

[meleeka]

Hi,
My pony had laminitis and tested for cushings (which came back negative) she was shod with heart bar front shoes and 12 months later had not improved at all. x rays were then taken and the pedal bone was seen to have rotated. She was then diagnosed with cushings (positive) and prescribed prascend. One year later she has been diagnosed with EMS and the x rays taken recently show no improvement in her front feet. I then changed my Farrier but always had the same Vet visiting regularly. The treatment is now shoes off and heels cut down and toe of hoof wall cut back - this is the treatment I agree with - it makes sense.
Why did my pony not get (what I consider) the appropriate treatment right at the begining? Why are heart bar shoes used when it is clear that the horse is uncomfortable being on its toes?

Hearbars should take the pressure off the sensitive area under the pedal bone.

OP xrays are a useful tool if you suspect rotation and you want your farrier to trim accordingly. I’ve had X-rays when there was little improvement after 2 weeks, but if they are sound and happy then I’m happy to assume foot balance is as it should be. Ime xrays invariably show that the toes are too long which then helps the farrier.