A Retrospective Study of 23 Cases of Coronary Band Separation Longer than 8 cm as a Sequel to Severe Laminitis

This article describes the clinical and radiological features, treatments, and outcomes from 23 equine cases that developed coronary band separation >8 cm long during a 23-year period. These equine cases were selected from a referral population of 175 cases that developed displacement of the distal phalanx relative to the hoof (DD). Time from onset of displacement of the distal phalanx to coronary band separation, time from coronary band separation to outcome, radiological measurements, presence of solar prolapse, description of the supracoronary contour, description of coronary band exudation, signalment, treatments used, and outcomes were recorded. Seven cases became sound and 16 were euthanased. The mean founder distance for horses that were euthanased was 15.2 mm and was significantly greater than for those that became sound (8.2 mm; P < .001). Using a cutoff of ≥11.8 mm, founder distance correctly predicted death for 100% (13/13) of cases and correctly predicted survival for 100% (7/7). The results of this study may help clinicians presented with similar cases to make more accurate prognoses in the future.