Radiological features of arterial channels in the equine third phalanx measured using a novel customized software represent changes of laminitis.

Objective: To identify and measure radiolucencies at the solear margin of the distal phalanx in radiographs of healthy and laminitic hooves.

Sample: Clinical records and dorsoproximal-palmarodistal radiographs of equine forelimbs with radiological diagnoses of either laminitis (n = 40, L) or navicular syndrome (n = 40, NS).

Methods: Outlines of the radiolucent structures at the solar margin were drawn in ImageJ, and a customized novel plugin "Arteries Analyzer/ImageJ" was used for measurements.