Laminitis aftercare

[Allover]

OK i am dealing with my first case of laminitis in about 20 years and it would seem that there is a lot of conflicting information regarding the aftercare of a horse that has had a mild case of Lami.

Mare was diagniosed on Thursday last week, she had some NSAIDS, anti inflammatories and blood thinners. She was put on box rest and given soaked hay. I hosed her feet every hour for 10 mins. By saturday there was a marked improvement and by tuesday she was not lame, had no pulse and cool feet.

Vet advised that she could start to go out in paddock for 1hr in late afternoon and start walking exercise (in hand) She went in paddock tuesday afternoon, no heat or pulse from being on the grass either later that day or Wed morning. I took her for a 25 minute walk and when we returned she had slight pulse and heat in front feet which had gone by the eve. Turned her out for an hour in the evening, no heat or pulse from this. From next week she can go out 2x 1hr a day.
My plan was that providing she was doing ok that after the second week of 2x2 hours she could start to go out with the muzzle on (not sure for how long) and i would also attempt to keep her in work (in hand walk and trot or she can be led from one of the others (i hope))
She is being x-rayed in the next few weeks (just waiting for a vet to come over from Germany) so will know if anything has gone wrong inside.

I spoke to the laminitis trust today and they advised she should be in for at least a month with no exercise, soaked hay and no grazing. They said the reason vets say it is ok to put them out is because they know owners do not like their horses being in.

Now i really dont know what to do!!

I have a grazing muzzle on its way for her, and she can go out\come in any time night or day as i live on site so no issue on that front.

Any advise appreciated!

 

[suestowford]

My vet advised me not to turn out or exercise my pony until he'd been sound for at least a couple of weeks without painkillers. This is because of damage to the laminae - any exercise could cause further damage to already compromised structures and could make the condition worse.

Mine was in for about six weeks all told, then started with an hour out (with muzzle on), then two hours, then four, then after about three months he was able to go out overnight.

You are right to be cautious, you do have to be so careful but it is worth taking the extra time so as not to aggravate the illness any further and undo the good work you have done already.

 

[Allover]

Well i have just spoken to another vet and he has also advised that horse should stay in for at least a month with no grass, and led out in hand if she is ok to so this will be my plan of action.

I just find it so hard to believe that the first vet said it was OK for her to be out and start working again when this could set her back or even cause damage to the point of having to be PTS

 

[Lotty]

My mare had laminitis last March, she was completely stable bound on deep shavings for 5 months, only coming out the stable to be x-rayed.

As soon as she had finished her bute and sedalin the vet waited 30days to see if she was still sound before allowing her to go out 1hour a day.