Managing Chronic Laminitis

When a horse develops equine metabolic syndrome it is similar to type 2.

Managing chronic laminitis.

Is in chronic pain. Chronic laminitis means that laminitis laminopathy has taken place in the feet and the consequent damage has not been fully corrected i e. Tips for managing acute laminitis. Laminitis is a disease of the suspensory apparatus of the distal phalanx which can advance to the chronic stage with varying degrees of structural failure.

It s important to note that once a horse has had laminitis it may be likely to recur. Laminitis is a painful and distressing condition of the hoof and it can lead to chronic incurable lameness in horses if it is not treated promptly. Most horses that have laminitis also have a significant amount of pain lameness and or structural change within the hoof itself. The nrc notes that specific objective information regarding nutritional management of horses with chronic laminitis is not available 2 however it might be best when feeding such horses to minimize energy intake and prevent excess body weight in order to minimize mechanical stress on the foot.

Treatment regimens for both acute and chronic laminitis generally remain empiric and are based on the past experience of the attending clinician. Management of the pain of laminitis is important from many standpoints. There has been some loss of correct alignment between the hoof capsule and the pedal coffin bone. A major part of the management of the chronic laminitis case is remedial farriery and it is important that your vet and farrier are working together as a team figure 6 to provide you with the best care.

The horse s well being must be kept at the forefront of your rehabilitation efforts. However for the horse with endocrine related laminitis diet becomes an important part of managing the disease. Because the disease may ultimately lead to mechanical failure of the digit a foot management plan is required to effectively and mechanically treat these cases. The guidelines for managing the aftermath of slow onset laminitis are the same as for the acute condition but the outcome is often better.

With the help of a good veterinarian and farrier you can often turn these cases around quickly sometimes in three or four shoeing cycles assuming of course you ve also addressed the underlying issue that brought on the laminitis says fraley.