Page 258 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

produced, especially at the toe. This is an area of weakness that makes the horse

susceptible to abscesses and seedy toe. Foot abscesses are a common occurrence in
VetBooks.ir horses with chronic laminitis.

The clinical signs and the response to treatment depend on how much damage has occurred

to the laminae.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made on the clinical signs. Radiographic examination is essential for the

following reasons.
• It is important to establish the position of the pedal bone at the outset of treatment so that

subsequent progress or deterioration can be monitored.
• Radiographs will show the extent of any rotation or sinking of the pedal bone. If the front

of the pedal bone is no longer parallel to the front of the hoof wall, the pedal bone has

rotated (Figure 6.44). If the pedal bone is not rotated but has moved downwards within
the hoof capsule towards the ground, it is said to be ‘sinking’ (Figure 6.45). This is very
important for planning the treatment and also for predicting the likely outcome. ‘Sinkers’

have a much more guarded prognosis.
• They will also show whether the horse has any foot changes, e.g. thickening of the dorsal

hoof wall or remodelling of the toe of the pedal bone from previous episodes of the
disease.