Laminitis advise

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Billie

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I have owned a horse for 17 years and I'm ashamed to admit I don't know an awful lot about laminitis.

Billy is 24yrs. He has never had laminitis. For years he has pointed one front leg, the reason is known by the vet and we work with corrective shoeing. He sometimes points worse in the summer and has done that for years but I think it has something to do with the hard ground causing more concussion on the problem.

Here is what I'm noticing, he is pointing both fronts alternatively when resting or standing so he is leaning back slightly. He isn't lame but is a little stiff in front. When I bring him in from the field he is wanting to rest (standing up) alot more than normal. Not sure whether this is relevant but he has a small touch of thrush at the moment too.

He has 1 bute a day as routine for an old injury and I have increased it to 2 for now to see if it helps. I have told the yard only to turn him out for a couple of hours a day as we really have got a lot of grass.

That all sounds terrible now I've written it down and I'm thinking I should be talking to the vet not writing on here!
 
Does sound like it could be low grade laminitis, sad to say. Are his digital pulses raised?

The other option is whether the thrush has gone quite deep and is causing problems.

Either way I would definitely be getting the vet out, as there is obviously something wrong. Better to be safe than sorry. Hope he is okay.
 
This sounds very dodgy, do you mean by pointing that he is lame on that leg?
I would really consult your vet, if you are not satisfied and he is not suggesting, further investigation get another one, your horse is obviously in pain , some of which is being blocked by bute, sometimes horses with navicular can take this stance too.
 
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Does sound like it could be low grade laminitis, sad to say. Are his digital pulses raised?

The other option is whether the thrush has gone quite deep and is causing problems.

Either way I would definitely be getting the vet out, as there is obviously something wrong. Better to be safe than sorry. Hope he is okay.

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I think I'll call the yard and see how he is today. As you can see by my signature I'm getting married next week and then I'm away for 2 1/2 weeks, I need to get him sorted.
 
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Are you sure it isn't navicular rather than laminitis?

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My first reaction is no, I don't think so. He has been a pointer for years and the most the vet could discover was a foot imbalance (he has a really poorly shaped front hoof) leading to strain on the coffin joint. He has for a few years pointed and been slightly lame in the summer for a short period. He just seems that little bit worse this year, I've just called the yard and they are going to put him in the local paddock which has little grass and we're going to cut down both hay and feed. He is carrying quite a bit of weight.
 
You maybe would do best to have some x-rays taken and then you'll be able to find out what's going on. Best of luck, hope Billie feels better soon.
 
Hello, not seen you for a long time! Must be the time for us oldies to return!
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Give your vet a call, have a chat and see if he wants to come out to him. Even if it's nothing, at least you know then.

Hope Billy is ok. xx
 
You must remember that your horse is getting on in years and his chances of suffering from 'Cushings Disease' will increase with the onset of age. 'Cushings Disease' is a cause of Laminitis. Your horse could be suffering from low grade Cushings Disease. Get your vet in to check your horses digital pulse and also check him over. If he thinks that he may be suffering from Cushings Disease then he may well prescriibe 250micro gram Pergoliode which is given daily.
 
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