Horse Care - Laminitis
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WHAT IS EQUINE LAMINITIS? Laminitis is a highly traumatic and painful condition, that can affect ponies and horses, and requires immediate first aid treatment provided by your veterinary surgeon and farrier. Laminitis is a major vascular crisis that results in inflammation and weakening of the laminal structures and bonds within the horses hoof. The damage to the hoof tissue could be severe and may cause rotation and sinking of the pedal bone. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of laminitis:
The blood supply to the hoof has been disturbed through a laminitic trigger factor that affects the horse’s metabolism. Possible trigger factors include diet, toxaemia, stress, hoof concussion or another condition e.g. Equine Cushing’s Disease. As a result of metabolic disturbance, blood vessels have become constricted, thereby reducing oxygen and other nutrients to the hoof and laminal tissues. The laminae become damaged and weakened and pull away from the hoof wall. The pedal bone is no longer supported by laminal structure and begins to rotate and descend towards the sole. The tissue in the sole of the foot becomes compressed, more blood vessels collapse leading to further crushing and subsequent infection. It
is important that laminitis treatment begins swiftly and advice followed
carefully to |
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Recommended
Emergency Treatment for Laminitis
Stable your horse on a clean, deep, shavings bed Administer
medication as prescribed by your vet Review
your horse’s diet with your vet Your
vet will organise x-rays of the affected hooves Your farrier
or surgical farrier will trim & re-balance hooves using those x-rays |