Laminitis in Horses: Treatment Options

To anyone who has spent much time around horses, one of the most dreaded words to hear from a vet is laminitis. Although many people believe that this disorder is an automatic death sentence, treatment for laminitis in horses is sometimes successful. As a matter of fact, some horses experience periodic bouts of this disease.

What is Laminitis?

According to American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), laminitis is a painful disorder that strikes one or more of a horse's feet. In recent years, veterinarians have stressed that many cases of this disease are in fact treatable. Some are even preventable.

Laminitis occurs when there is any kind of interruption in the blood flow to a horse's laminae. These are structures that secure the animal's coffin bone to the wall of the hoof. The interruption might be continual, intermittent, or short-term in nature.

When inflammation develops, it can permanently weaken the laminae, which interferes with the bond between the wall and the coffin bone. In the worst cases, the hoof wall and the bone actually separate, causing the bone to turn downward. While laminitis can affect any number of hooves, the most common pattern appears to be occurrence in both front feet at the same time.

The most recent death of a famous thoroughbred from the complications of laminitis was that of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. His courageous battle to overcome laminitis that developed in a leg injured in the Preakness caused America to fall in love with the big bay colt and the army of fans who supported him. The aftermath of his death and their efforts to wipe out laminitis among thoroughbreds are chronicled here.

Vets are often puzzled as to why a horse contracts laminitis because there are so many potential causes. The disease has been blamed on everything from trauma to grain overload to a retained placenta in a mare after she foals, Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital reports. Some breeders cite genetics.

Treatment for Laminitis

Equine vets agree on one principle: the sooner treatment for laminitis begins, the better the chance a horse has to survive the disease. When the disorder is the result of some type of systemic problem in the horse's body, the first order of business is to diagnose and treat that problem.

For some horses, restricting the diet to only grass and hay is the answer. In the case of a horse who has overeaten, it might be necessary to administer mineral oil through a nasograstic tube to clean out the digestive tract.

To ward off or treat dehydration, a vet might recommend administering fluids to an afflicted horse. Among the drugs sometimes used for laminitis are antibiotics, anti-endotoxins, anticoagulants and vasodilators.

Taking the weight off the horse by using a sling such as Barbaro had or encouraging the animal to lie down sometimes brings relief. Putting the horse on sand or shavings can also increase the comfort level. Any abscesses will probably need to be drained.

Perhaps most important is making sure there is good communication between the vet and the farrier who takes care of an afflicted horse. These two professionals often need to collaborate to treat laminitis in horses with corrective hoof trimming, frog supports and therapeutic shoes or pads.

Sources:

http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=281

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/137708/barbaro_his_greatest_legacy.html?cat=9

http://www.conejovet.com/EquineLibrary/laminitis.html