Laminitis: What you need to know

Laminitis is a medical emergency and can be a life threatening condition for your horse. It affects the front feet most often, but can include all four. The structure involved is the lamina which connects the coffin bone inside the hoof to the external hoof structures. When the lamina becomes compromised, edema and hemorrhage occur in the tissue and the bonds giving the lamina its strength can begin to fail. Blood flow to the foot is also altered as a consequence.

In mild cases, the lamina becomes thickened with edema and hemorrhage, but eventually, with time, regains most of its original strength. This process can often be seen with radiographs, and most horses can eventually go back to normal work.

In more severe cases, the lamina can be weakened enough to allow rotation of the coffin bone inside the hoof capsule. Because the attachment of the deep digital flexor tendon is to the underside and back of the coffin bone, when the laminar bonds are weakened, the flexor tendon may exert enough pull to "rotate" the coffin bone. Rotation may be mild or severe. Horses may or may not recover from this type of laminitic event.

In extremely bad cases, the lamina which surrounds the whole coffin bone is compromised enough to allow the boney column of the limb to drop or "sink" down into the hoof capsule. These horses are called "sinkers". These types of cases are associated with a poor prognosis for recovery.

Learn to Recognize the Signs:

* Reluctance to walk or walking with short, stilted strides. Many owners mistake this type of movement for stiffness in the knees or shoulders.

* Difficulty turning in small circles.

* "Rocking back" in their stance to shift weight to the hind limbs.

* Increased digital pulse.

Some of the Common Risk Factors for Development of Laminitis:

* Obesity, especially horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome

* Any abrupt change in high carbohydrate feed. Most cases in our geographic area (Front Range of Colorado) are seen in the spring when horses are grazing on new grass. Horses who accidently get into the grain bin are also susceptible.

* Horses with Equine Cushings Disease (PPID), especially in the fall

* Retained placenta

* Colitis and Enteritis

* Any major systemic illness

* Non-weight bearing injury to one limb --> opposite limb is at risk

* Any horse who has had an episode in the past is forever at higher risk.

Cresty neck and abnormal fat deposits as seen in horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options May Include:

* Call your veterinarian immediately. Early treatment is the key.

* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

* Cushioning applied to the bottom of the foot

* Heel elevation to decrease the forces applied by the deep digital flexor tendon