Digital pulse

[badgerdog]

Since my horse was diagnosed with laminitis 2 weeks ago I have been obsessively feeling his digital pulse. I can find it quite easily but it doesn't feel that strong when I've compared it with other horses.
Does the digital pulse depend solely on the strength of the pounding or is should I be timing it as well?
Sorry to be so ignorant but I've had horses for years and this is the first case of laminitis I've ever had!

 

[Annie&Amy]

I sadly lost my horse four weeks ago with laminitis, i was also obsessive about checking pulse and i could sometimes feel it slightly, it seemed to be palpable and then not even within the space of two minutes, i asked vet and she said that some horses you can always feel a pulse but with laminitis it's bounding and very easy to feel. As i'd never checked amy's pulses before she got lamintis i didn't know what was normal for her, if in doubt ask your vet xxxx

 

[badgerdog]

So sorry to hear you lost your horse, it's a terrible disease.
I never used to check my horses digital pulse beforehand so I don't know whats normal for him but when I check my other horse who is in good health it doesn't feel that different.
If I had something more scientific to measure it with, ie how many to the minute I would be fine but I'm finding just judging the strength of it a bit vague. I guess I'll just have to keep checking lots of horses and then I'll get more of a feel of it.

 

[Eaglestone]

I am sorry to hear about your horse and from one paranoid Laminitic horse owner to another, I know exactly where you are coming from

I cannot recall a 'bounding' digital pulse when Motor went down with Cushings induced Laminitis 3 years ago, even at the time! However I religiously check his DP's every day and have variable results of 'nothing' or a faint one ... I then go and feel my TB's pulses and find he also has the same 'feeling' on that day ....... I have always been told that it will be 'raised' ... so, as you are doing, I just keep a check on them ...

However saying that, I always walk and turn Motor on concrete or tarmac, at least once a day, to ensure that he does not 'feel' the turns, which was the only reason initially that I suspected Laminitis

Obviously though, if in your instance, your horse is on strict box rest ATM, then please do not walk him out to test out my technique!

I hope all goes well