RADIOGRAPHIC AND ANATOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DORSAL HOOF WALL LAYERS IN NONLAMINITIC HORSES

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2015 Nov-Dec;56(6):589-94. doi: 10.1111/vru.12280. Epub 2015 Jul 31.

Abstract

Early radiographic diagnosis of acute laminitis is important for treatment planning and prognosis in horses. While four histopathologic layers make up the hoof wall, only two layers are distinguished on digital radiographs of horses' hooves. Objectives of this descriptive study were to determine which macroscopic layers correspond to the two radiographically visible layers, and to describe radiographic layer measurements in a group of clinically sound Warmblood horses. Twelve ex vivo equine hooves were examined at three different levels of the dorsal hoof wall. The four macroscopic layers were variably grouped and compared with radiographic layers. Stratum externum and stratum medium represented the superficial radiographic layer while stratum internum and dermis parietis represented the deep layer. In 27 clinically sound horses (54 thoracic feet), the superficial radiographic layer represented 64.3% ± 3.6% of the total dorsal hoof wall. Findings from this study provided baseline information for future studies of horses with acute laminitis.

Keywords: equine; hoof wall; horse; laminitis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Forelimb / anatomy & histology
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Hindlimb / anatomy & histology
  • Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology*
  • Hoof and Claw / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses / anatomy & histology*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods
  • Retrospective Studies