First time Acute Laminitis

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finefilly2010

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I have just returned from holiday today to find out that my horse suffered an acute case of laminitis whilst I was away (my friend was looking after him and thankfully called the vet).
Whilst I can appreciate that he is a slightly rounded Welsh Cob (although has been a lot bigger in the past) and the grass seems to have sprung up in the last few weeks I am baffled as to why he has suffered this at this time.

I know that it is highly unlikely that I will be able to pinpoint the cause of this attack however I just wondered if anyone else has had any similar experiences?

He is 14 and never had a case of laminitis in his past, he was kept stabled during the day and out at night to control his weight and he has a small paddock to himself which is strip grazed so he does not go out on a fresh field of new grass.

He has developed scabs at the top of his coronary band which I understand are the abscesses that are part of the healing process. He was given bute, prebiotics and blood tests by my vet (which as far as I am aware the tests were negative). What I find baffling is that his chestnuts and ergots on all four legs have completely fallen off leaving raw blotchy patches of skin? Has anyone else ever come across this - tried searching the net but I have been unable to find anything that links the laminitis to this??

He has been on box rest for just over a couple of weeks now and although not 100% sound, he certainly doesn't seem sore on any feet and is just a bit short in front. Fingers crossed that his recovery will continue to improve. Any comments or experiences you can share would be most appreciated as I guess I have been very lucky in the past and have never had a horse that has suffered with this disease.
 
Don't want to worry you, but I would be concerned about the chestnuts and ergots, coupled with the fact that the horse has scabs around the coronet band. There is a condition called Pemphigus which is a an auto-immune condition, where the body attacks itself, and pussy, weeping chestnuts and coronitis are both sypmtoms. The horse needs to be put on steriods to combat this attack. I would get the vet back out to have a look asap if it was me.
 
Hi there, sorry to hear this has happened. My 12 year old connemara is on box rest after his first ever attack of lammy too. He was a bit round but pretty much target weight and was very fit as we were training for an ODE, we were also low on grazing and deciding which paddock to move them to next when he came down with it! So I am a bit mystified too, but its a horrible illness and it just shows they can get it even if you are taking care to avoid it. Mine too had it when I came back from a few days away and I think just having a few days off started it.

As for the chestnuts and ergots though that does sound strange and I would definitely at least call the vet and get some advice before the bank hol weekend on that.

My horses mane has all but fallen out and the vet thinks this is stress from being in as he usually lives out, he had a mane most were envious of! Hopefully it'll grow back! We are on week 6 of box rest and not looking like going out any time soon sadly. He is still very lame but farrier should be coming next week (was meant to be today but been let down! :confused:) to put shoes on, not sure if heart bars or imprints at the moment, the vet and farrier are going to decide between them.

Good luck with him, i'd be interested to hear what the vet makes of the chestnuts and ergots thing.
 
Im glad to hear its not just me! You do everything you can to reduce the risks and these things still happen!

Have been keeping an eye on the chestnuts and ergots and they are not sore or bleeding so am going to get the vet to come out next week and give him a check over and hopefully discuss when he might be able to go out in the field. He certainly seems to be feeling better, I have been walking him round in the school to help stretch his legs and stop him from getting so bored. So far he has reared up at me and tried to kick me several times then pranced round like a stallion! I certainly think he is starting to feel more like himself which is good.
 
Hi my mare had one laminitis attack in May '08 but she was very fat, not just 'a bit round'. However, the latest research points to long term obesity being a cause which explains why horses can go for years being plump then suddenly get it when lush grass tips it over the edge. Good luck with the recovery.
 
Ihotse is thinking along the same lines as I am. I have run riding schools with laminitic ponies and never had their chestnuts drop off.

One thing I will say get your horse on high doses of NAF D-tox, it is brilliant easing the effects of laminitis and if it is an auto-immune problem it will also help adjust that.
I swear by the stuff!
If you do try it, give much higher doses than suggested, a tablespoonful X 2 a day.
 
I have done some web research on Pemphigus (thanks for the suggestion) however the symptoms described seem to be far worse than what my horse is suffering. He is not lame, has no other skin lesions, no swelling in his legs, is eating what hay and feed he is allowed with much enthusiam and drinking well. He is also quite happy in himself with a bright outlook (despite being stuck in his stable and feeling like he is being starved!!)

A visiting farrier had a look at his feet and said that the coronary bands were typical of a recovery from acute lamintis and is almost like abscesses where the pressure has released from his feet. Having looked today his coronary bands are not looking "angry" just a little scabby and certainly better.

He is in no way sore when you touch his chestnuts or ergots, however I am still going to check this with the vet. He has had blood tests taken and these have returned negative so I guess that is a positive sign as I am sure anything serious would have shown in them.

Hopefully he is on the (slow) road to recovery!
 
Was the paddock fertilised? The sudden increase in nitrogen from fertiliser can mimic the lush growth of spring grass. Riding alot on hard ground can also cause it from concussion. Also have they been checked for cushings? As random laminitis attacks can be a symptom of cushings or of insulin resistence.

Sorry I don't really have much help for the chestnuts/ergots other then were they quite large? As they can drop off when they have gotten quite big.
 
Hi there
My baby got toxic shock laminitis 4 years ago. he was poisened and went into liver and kidney disease, the vet said the lammy is the bodys way of telling us something els was going on internally.

hes suffered with it constantly for 4 years now and is on 2 bute a day, the vet is coming to asses him on friday as he is now suffering.


basically horses are fragile and can get lammy for a number of reasons, sudden work, being riddden on different surfaces, change in routine, ridden on hard ground, stress, anxiaty, other illness, cushings.

and of course lush grass or abesitiy.

My boy was on box rest for 8 solid months.

best of luck and get x-rays asap and a good farrier xx
 
Vet came out again yesterday and was pleased with his recovery so far. He is now allowed short grazing periods!

She has suggested putting him on a hoof supplement to help with the new growth of horn following the laminitis. She suggested Hoofmaker, has anyone used this??

I have looked into in on their website, however looking around at other supplements Formula4 Feet also looks to be a good option??

Any suggestions are welcome if you have used either product. Grazing muzzle has also been ordered in preparation!!
 
finefilly2010 said:
Vet came out again yesterday and was pleased with his recovery so far. He is now allowed short grazing periods!

She has suggested putting him on a hoof supplement to help with the new growth of horn following the laminitis. She suggested Hoofmaker, has anyone used this??

I have looked into in on their website, however looking around at other supplements Formula4 Feet also looks to be a good option??

Any suggestions are welcome if you have used either product. Grazing muzzle has also been ordered in preparation!!
Click to expand...

I used formula 4Feet and Dengie Healthy Hoof, these worked really well as well as pro feet and any kind of pro feet hoof oil.

good luck xx
 
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