Anyone with experience of laminitis brought on by stress?

[Rosiefell]

How soon after the 'stressful' event did it show itself? My pony has just come down with lammi (fortunately I managed to catch it early).
Friday (16/5) she had a long (for her) journey-2 hours both ways and she sweated loads

,I was away over the w/e so she wasn't ridden until Tuesday-perfectly sound then. Weds eve she was a bit 'iffy' (couldn't put my finger on it) and yesterday morning she was definitely pottery,vet visit confirmed my worst fears. She isn't overweight and has been in regular exercise,could it possibly be a combination of triggers? Ironically the fatties in my field have shown no signs but their already strict regime is being increased.

If it is stress lammi does it make them more prone to it in the'classic' way and is the post-recovery management the same? ie restricting grass & strict weight control?

 

[TGM]

I know someone whose pony had stress-induced laminitis after a long journey, but it presented within an hour or so of coming off the lorry.

How old is the pony concerned? They don't necessarily have to be fat to get laminitis - was she on good grazing before she got it?

 

[Rosiefell]

Thanks,I didn't think it was the journey but I'm considering all possibilities. She's 12 and has never shown any signs of lammi before. We've only been in this field since January,I wouldn't have said it was particularly good grazing-it's always had horses on it and AFAIK never been fertilised but I guess I've just been caught out

(Talk about feeling guilty

)

 

[wormhugs]

My horse got laminitis as a result of a bruised sole. He took all the weight on his 'good' leg which triggered laminitis, and ended up with it in all 4 feet

I asked the vet whether he would be prone to grass induced laminitis and he said no because that wasnt what caused it the first time. Unfortunately the vet was wrong. I think once there is damage to the laminae, they will be at risk from grass induced laminitis. My horse is now prone to 'classic' laminitis and has suffered the last 2 years. The first time I wasnt expecting it and this year because of a silly decision by the YO to turn him out on lush grazing for 2 days. He developed very mild laminitis despite wearing a muzzle and my keeping him slightly underweight.
The treatment for the first 'weight bearing' laminitis was box rest and soaked hay like a 'classic' case.
Hope this helps, although its probably not what you wanted to hear!!

 

[angiebaby]

As wormhugs says, treat it the same as grass induced which means box rest on deep shavings bed; most vets/ laminitis trust will advise bute for 10/14 days them keep in until sound on hard ground for thirty days after painkillers. Re- introduce on bare paddock gradually and feed hay. Start exercise with 10 mins walk a day building up to 1 hour.
However all horses are different and yours might get better quicker/longer, but in my opinion the longer the recovery the better.

 

[Rosiefell]

Thank you all for your replies. She is in for at least 2 weeks with bute & ACP and the vet is coming again in a week's time. Luckily she seems to like being in a stable despite normally being out 24/7. She has sweet-itch too though so I hope she doesn't destroy the stable in the meantime . Horses! When does it ever become easy?

 

[flyingfeet]

Just a quick question - had your vet given her a jab for sweet itch?

Mine suddenly developed laminitis after being jabbed and is a big 16hh horse with no history of laminitis. He is currently confined inside, but the injection worked well as not rubbing and now away from the midges anyway.

 

[Rosiefell]

No he hasn't,I manage it fairly well with rugs and creams. I take you mean a steroid injection? I had heard it can bring on laminitis.

 

[Donkeymad]

I had a mare (called Rosie) who developed stress lamin after injuring her back and being unable to walk properly for some time. The lammi didn't come on immediately as it was the continuous odd pressure that finally induced it. She was a condition score of 2 at the time.