A safe place to feel deflated..

[Hollylee1989]

My shetland tested positive for cushings 7 weeks ago today, after repeated bouts of laminitis. (Negative for ems). Xrays showed slight rotation in both fore feet, left one was the worse one. Was retested on week 6 and levels are stable, given the go ahead to start short turnout, which should of happened weds morning. However, Tuesday evening the farrier trimmed him to realign his pedal bones, and he walked off very lame. Checked him this morning and still lame on the concrete. Stable he's fine with his matting and deep bed. My vet is away until Tuesday but he said to box rest him still, until he comes to see him then. My farrier said to give him time to adjust to the angle, but surely he shouldn't of gone from sound to very lame in that trim. Feel like I'm back at square one, and very deflated. Lots of chocolate needed

 

[Highmileagecob]

Oh dear. There will still be separation and pain in the feet, and I would tend to do no more than support him on deep shavings. Any trimming should be very conservative, mustang roll, tidy frogs and swipe a bit off the heels to keep the balance. Boots and pads may help at this stage if he is showing lameness. Is he being medicated?

 

[Widgeon]

Surely the positive result is a good thing? It means you know exactly why the laminitis has been occurring, and you can get him on Prascend so it's under control. I don't think it's unheard of for a trim to result in sudden drastic lameness so you're not alone there. Although I would probably want to have a chat with the farrier about making any future trims more conservative and more regular so it doesn't happen again.

Boots and pads sounds like a good idea, if it's just so he can potter around comfortably Cavallos are a forgiving fit and they do a special tiny boot if your Shetland is very small.

It sounds like you're doing everything right (perhaps excepting a slightly drastic trim, but that's not your fault), have some chocolate and keep going! Hopefully he'll start improving again very soon. Fingers crossed.

 

[Hollylee1989]

Oh dear. There will still be separation and pain in the feet, and I would tend to do no more than support him on deep shavings. Any trimming should be very conservative, mustang roll, tidy frogs and swipe a bit off the heels to keep the balance. Boots and pads may help at this stage if he is showing lameness. Is he being medicated?

He's having one danilon a day currently, cheeky little monkey is still very much himself.

 

[Hollylee1989]

Surely the positive result is a good thing? It means you know exactly why the laminitis has been occurring, and you can get him on Prascend so it's under control. I don't think it's unheard of for a trim to result in sudden drastic lameness so you're not alone there. Although I would probably want to have a chat with the farrier about making any future trims more conservative and more regular so it doesn't happen again.

Boots and pads sounds like a good idea, if it's just so he can potter around comfortably Cavallos are a forgiving fit and they do a special tiny boot if your Shetland is very small.

It sounds like you're doing everything right (perhaps excepting a slightly drastic trim, but that's not your fault), have some chocolate and keep going! Hopefully he'll start improving again very soon. Fingers crossed.

Thank you, he's on prascend. Half a tablet per day, was pleased this dose is the right one for him. Yes I've seen the shetland size cavallos, I'll get his feet measured and invest in a pair. I am gutted, but trying to not let it eat away at me too much.

 

[Widgeon]

I am gutted, but trying to not let it eat away at me too much.

Do try not to take it personally. Horses do just break sometimes and you're doing your best by him. Hopefully you'll find that some little boots are very helpful.

Look after yourself too, I hope there's something you can do to give yourself a break from worrying.

 

[SEL]

For a Welsh Sec A where something similar happened we put thick foam inside a pair of men's socks. Just for day time so she could walk to her little turn out area and then off at night on a deep bed. She was so much happier.

Your Shetland will be ok. I think "trim to x ray" needs to be approached with caution. Vet told my farrier to do that to my wonky legged native and he just smiled, nodded and ignored her. Over 18 months he has definitely improved the angles but if he'd done it in one go she would have been crippled.

 

[Tiddlypom]

While you are waiting for the boots, I'd recommend dressing the feet as for a poultice with additionally a roll of vet wrap or similar to support the frogs. That is emergency first aid for laminitis as used by vets.

So vet wrap roll on frog, then nappy to hold it in place, then vet wrap, then duct tape to finish.

Good luck.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Also - men's flip flops provide enough foam to cut out a hoof shape and a frog shape. Cut out the frog shape, glue to the hoof shape and duct tape in place. Foam play mats and old yoga mats are also useful whilst the hoof boots arrive.

 

[Birker2020]

Good luck

 

[Hollylee1989]

Thanks all! Both hooves are still warm, no pulses though. Just hoping the drastic trim hasn't set off another lami bout.

 

[Hollylee1989]

Update: right hoof tends to get slightly 'warm', during the afternoon only. Nice and cool during the morning, sound in walk and trot. Weight 134kg, cushings level 26.7, surely we're heading in the right direction. Just this pesky heat I'm worried about, vet and farrier aren't concerned.