First time laminitis ?

[Poppy2003]

Horse has been on/off lame for a few weeks now initially with what was thought to be an abscess then a bruise but still not right so had the vet out again today who now thinks laminitis. She thought he was lame in both front feet today and both had heat and a pulse…
He’s not very lame, more short strided and guarded. He did not respond to hoof testers.
He’s 18, never had it at all before.
she has prescribed bute and box rest or a tiny paddock as he lives out.. he’s been barefoot for years due to other issues and I’d like to keep it that way but she suggested heart bar shoes or pads? Could he have pads without shoes? She said she would test for cushings in a couple of weeks as we get get an off result if we do it now.
I’m completely blind sided by this. Absolutely not what I was thinking! Is there anything else I need to know or do?

 

[asmp]

So sorry to hear but would hoof boots be an alternative To pads? You don’t have to buy brand new as there lots for sale second hand.

Another thought - my oldie was short snd footie and after x-raying was found to have large sidebones. He’s now in hoofboots.

 

[Poppy2003]

So sorry to hear but would hoof boots be an alternative To pads? You don’t have to buy brand new as there lots for sale second hand.

Another thought - my oldie was short snd footie and after x-raying was found to have large sidebones. He’s now in hoofboots.

yes I was wondering about hoof boots instead. Just had a quick look. What a mine field! Will have to research carefully.
He hasn’t been x rayed at this stage but she suggested we treat as laminitis and go from there. Either way he needs to lose weight and have movement restricted

 

[Highmileagecob]

Maybe ask your farrier to come and check, and be prepared to over rule your vet if farrier thinks heartbars are not necessary. Hoofboots and pads will make him comfortable until a firm diagnosis is evident.
A Cushings test immediately sprang to mind, given his age and symptoms. Good luck, I hope you get him back to normal quickly.

 

[asmp]

yes I was wondering about hoof boots instead. Just had a quick look. What a mine field! Will have to research carefully.
He hasn’t been x rayed at this stage but she suggested we treat as laminitis and go from there. Either way he needs to lose weight and have movement restricted

The hoofboutique.co.uk are very helpful if you have any questions about sizing and what’s suitable. Mine is in Equine Fusion Active boots as they have good suspension.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You can pad the feet most vets know how to do it and will show you how to do it, if not imprint shoes are very good for laminitis.

You can pad the feet without shoes or hoof boots my vet used rolls of a type of bandage secured with vet wrap, I just did it myself once they showed me how to do it.

 

[Poppy2003]

You can pad the feet most vets know how to do it and will show you how to do it, if not imprint shoes are very good for laminitis.

You can pad the feet without shoes or hoof boots my vet used rolls of a type of bandage secured with vet wrap, I just did it myself once they showed me how to do it.

This is very useful thanks!
Lots of people on the yard have offered my various sizes of boots and pads so will see what fits

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

This is very useful thanks!
Lots of people on the yard have offered my various sizes of boots and pads so will see what fits

They must be padded a certain way so the structures of the foot are supported at the back of the hoof, from the tip of the frog forward is where the front of the pedal bone is so you need to make sure that area has limited pressure on it, I would get a vet to do it first if you have not been shown or you could end up making it worse.