Hello Friends!
Hope you’re doing great and ready for the lastest edition of Talking Horsies with Cara!! Cara has been busy researching the laminitis topic and has been sharing some excellent information that we can all learn from. Our equine friends will thank us too for being so much better informed. It is so important to recognize the symptoms and be able to act quickly and appropriately!! Can’t stress that enough.
So here she is
Here’s some more info I got off the website American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Here goes:
TREATMENT:
“”The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance for recovery. Treatment will depend on specific circumstances but may include the following:”
• “Diagnosing and treating the primary problem (laminitis is often due to a systemic or general problem elsewhere in the horse’s body)”. {Cara – (i.e., Barbaro had shattered his right hind leg @ the start of the 2006 Preakness Stakes which was surgically repaired by Dr. Dean Richardson @ The New Bolton Center, which is one of the highest rated equine hospitals in the U.S.). Barbaro had to be euthanized January 29, 2007 after they had tried everything possible they knew due to laminitis in all his hooves which most likely occurred b/c he was putting all his weight on just 3 legs as the right hind leg recovered.}
• “Dietary restrictions; stop feeding all grain-based feeds and pasture. Feed only grass hay until advised by your veterinarian.”
• “Treating with mineral oil via a nasogastric tube to purge the horse’s digestive tract, especially if the horse has overeaten.”
• “Administering fluids if the horse is ill or dehydrated.”
• “Administering other drugs such as antibiotics to fight infection; anti-endotoxins to reduce bacterial toxicity; and anticoagulants and vasodilators to reduce blood pressure while improving blood flow to the feet.”
• “Stabling the horse on soft ground, such as in sand or shavings (not black walnut) and encouraging the horse to lie down to reduce pressure on the weakened laminae.” {Cara – I agree with the part about being on soft ground, but disagree with the horse being stalled unless it is absolutely necessary. In Barbaro’s case, they had no other option since he developed such a severe case. In Jolly’s case, it was caught in the beginning stages & he was put back in his pasture where he could lie down if necessary & having other geldings around encouraged him to keep on the move; this is just my personal opinion & may not be suitable for different horse’s which could be in a different stage of laminitis or there is not a suitable pasture available. It’s very important to walk your horse by a lead rope @ least twice daily. If you cannot be available to walk your horse, have it set up with someone that works @ the stables to do this for you. If you don’t board your horse & you have just one (no other horses in a pasture) it would be advisable to stall him/her. Walking the horse may be painful, but in Jolly’s case it was the front left hoof & walking him helped keep his other hooves healthy. Again, I AM NOT by any means an expert; I am strictly sharing this due to Jolly’s particular situation & the fact that he completely recovered. I have to keep an eye on his hooves, b/c once a horse has had laminitis the percentage is high for it to return. This method of treatment for Jolly was recommended by a “professional trimmer.”}
• “Opening and draining any abscesses that may develop.” {Cara – Jolly kept developing one abscess after another in his front left hoof. He was most definitely soaked very often to make the abscess blow-out & drain. His hoof was either soaked in a bucket with condensed apple cider vinegar or he would have a soaking boot on his hoof. BE SURE YOU CHECK WITH “YOUR” VETERINARIAN FOR ADVICE ON TREATMENT FOR YOUR HORSE.}
• “Cooperation between your veterinarian and the farrier (techniques that may be helpful include corrective trimming {Cara – i.e., Jolly} , frog supports and therapeutic shoes or pads.)”
• “Your veterinarian may be able to advise you on new therapies that may include standing your horse in ice water to prevent the onset of laminitis after predisposing cause such as a retained placenta or a known grain overload.” {OMG, Jolly despises ice buckets! LOL!}
LONG-TERM OUTLOOK
“Some horses that develop laminitis make uneventful recoveries and go on to lead long, useful lives. Unfortunately, others suffer such severe irreparable damage that they are, for humane reasons, euthanized.” {Cara – i.e., Barbaro & Dyna King (Barbaro’s ½ brother also sired by Dynaformer were most definitely in severe pain & they had tried everything possible, but sadly, due to the extreme pain, they both had to be euthanized humanely.}
“Your equine practitioner can provide you with information about your horse’s condition based on radiographs (X-rays) and the animal’s response to treatment. Radiographs will show how much rotation of the coffin bone has occurred and may also illustrate abscesses or gas accumulation that will affect the therapy of your horse. This will help you make a decision in the best interest of the horse and help the farrier with the therapeutic shoeing.” {Cara – Where Jolly is boarded, all the horses are kept barefoot (soft, sandy ground) b/c it has been stated to me by a professional trimmer that it is much more healthy for their hooves (when possible), especially if the ground they pastured in is soft enough. Due to a creek that runs right along the side of the property, the pastures have been flooded NUMEROUS times. When this occurs, all the horses are transported to higher ground. Since the pastures are all sandy, there are plenty of hay huts. I take Jolly by lead off the property to graze on the green stuff; it is good for his digestive tract, but I have to monitor the length of time he grazes. The grass helps with his issue with ulcers. I limit his grazing time b/c I don’t want him getting “too” much @ once.}
MANAGEMENT
“It’s important to note that once a horse has had laminitis, it may be likely to recur.” {Cara – I just noticed an area on Jolly’s front “right” hoof yesterday, 08/17/13, that had that all too familiar odor that an abscess produces; there was an obvious area I could see that looked bad & it also had heat in it. Prayers please…}
“In fact, a number of cases become chronic because the coffin bone has rotated within the foot and the laminae never regain their original strength. There may also be interference with normal blood flow to the feet as well as metabolic changes within the horse. Extra care is recommended for any horse that has had laminitis including:”
• “A modified diet that provides adequate nutrition based on high-quality forage, digestible fiber (beet pulp) and oil. Avoid excess carbohydrates, especially grain.” {Cara – Jolly gets beet pulp in his evening feeding of wet mash.}
• “Routine hoof care, including regular trimming and, in some cases, therapeutic shoeing (additional radiographs may be needed to monitor progress).”
• “A good health-maintenance schedule, including parasite control and vaccinations, to reduce the horse’s susceptibility to illness or disease.”
• “Possibly a nutritional supplement formulated to promote hoof health (biotin supplements are popular for promoting hoof growth).”
• “Avoiding grazing lush pastures, especially between late morning and late afternoon hours since plant sugars are the highest during these times. Restrict pasture intake during spring or anytime the pasture suddenly greens up. {Cara – I guess I need to monitor when I take Jolly out to graze; especially during the late afternoon. I normally go to the stables every Friday evenings after work; by the time I get there, it’s within the hours just mentioned.}
SUMMARY
“The best way to deal with laminitis is preventing the causes under your control. Keep all grain stored securely out the reach of horses. Introduce your horse to lush pasture gradually. Be aware that when a horse is ill, under stress or overweight, it is especially at risk. Consult your equine practitioner to formulate a good dietary plan. Provide good, routine health and hoof care. If you suspect laminitis, consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately.”
“For more information, contact your veterinarian.”
All the above information came from:
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF EQUINE PRACTITIONERS
4075 IRON WORKS PARKWAY
LEXINGTON, KY 40511
859-233-0147
PENN VET
PEOPLE
“At Penn Vet, our people are our greatest attribute. Whether faculty, clinician student, nurse alumnus/a donor, friend or vet tech, every member of the Penn Vet community is a critical member of our team and serves to further our mission of advancing the boundaries of research, clinical care and education.”
“Because Penn Vet grew out of the nation’s first medical school, we believe strongly in collaboration across the University, the nation and the world. Now Pennsylvania leads in groundbreaking research that affects animals and humans alike.”
VETERINARY HOSPITALS
“Our two hospitals offer specialty care 365/24/7.”
NEW BOLTON CENTER
(Horses, livestock/farm animals)
610-444-8911
Ryan Veterinary Hospital
(Dogs, cats, domestic/companion animals)
215-746-8911
I know that 2nd hospital listed doesn’t have “anything” to do with horses or laminitis, but I just thought I would include it. Ya know in case Barn Kittah or Possum Kittah get tummy aches or whatever. I think their main problem is cheatin’ @ cards! Lol!
Luv & horsey hugs to u & ur Mom,
Cara ♥♥♥♥♥ xoxoxoxo
This was a great amount of information Cara and we can tell you put a lot of thought and effort into it. Thank you once again for collaborating with me to share this information with our friends, I am forever grateful for your help and insight into this terrible disease. Hopefully one day soon there will be a cure.
All for now,
Luv Pudge ♥
