Laminitis and Navicular

[Jim bob]

My horse recently went into the vets for an MRI , the xrays before showed that my horse has lami ( worse in left fore) yet the xrays taken just a month before was clear. Also on the MRI my horse was shown to have Navicular. He is currently barefoot.

In terms of the lami a month of box rest has been recommended however my boy has escaped from his stable twice in 12 hours, all he has done is mainly box walk for much of this time. I have being told that the lami is active but also giving him sedalin isn't an option either, not for a month. My vet has said if he wont do box rest then to turn him out in a sectioned of part of the field with some soaked hay to see if that settles him.

However I am very very worried this will make the lami worse but then him box walking isn't going to help either. Cushings and EMS aren't to blame and we are thinking possible concussion lami. The other thing or option is a friend has said I can borrow there pony for company to see if that helps him at all.

With the navi obvs steroids are out of the question and the plan was inprint or glue on shoes. But not until he has got over the lami. He is a typical underweight 17 hh tb too.

What would you do and PTS isn't an option at present.

 

[be positive]

I thought acp, sedalin, was frequently used as part of the treatment for laminitis so wonder why it is not allowed for a month, if he is box walking and able to get out of the stable then a small area would be the best solution if he will stay in there sensibly, the other option to consider, which may not be financially viable, is to send him to a yard that is more suited to box resting horses and has the set up that allows him to settle better.
I always ensure any horse on box rest has company, it does mean something coming in at day and another at night but I have a companion pony and that is it's job when required, although most of mine are fine if they are in alone I did have 1 in last year that had to have company at all times so they took it in turns to be in with him, it makes all the difference for some.

 

[ycbm]

What diagnosis have you got for the 'navicular? What structures are affected?

If it is the normal culprits of ddft, collateral ligament or impar ligament strain, check out this site before you agree to remedial shoes.

Rockleyfarm.blogspot.com

 

[Nari]

Did the vet give any reason why Sedalin wasn't an option for a month? I've given it for longer than that, obviously on vet advice, and I know others who have too. I would take your friend up on the offer of a companion pony too provided you have the time to care for it & provide at least some exercise.

By the way x-rays will not show a horse isn't laminitic, just that no movement has taken place at that stage.

 

[Jim bob]

I thought acp, sedalin, was frequently used as part of the treatment for laminitis so wonder why it is not allowed for a month, if he is box walking and able to get out of the stable then a small area would be the best solution if he will stay in there sensibly, the other option to consider, which may not be financially viable, is to send him to a yard that is more suited to box resting horses and has the set up that allows him to settle better.
I always ensure any horse on box rest has company, it does mean something coming in at day and another at night but I have a companion pony and that is it's job when required, although most of mine are fine if they are in alone I did have 1 in last year that had to have company at all times so they took it in turns to be in with him, it makes all the difference for some.

I think its more because my chap has a gut issue, Sadly on the yard I am on no one will bring in in the summer So he has no company otherwise I think he would be ok.

What diagnosis have you got for the 'navicular? What structures are affected?

If it is the normal culprits of ddft, collateral ligament or impar ligament strain, check out this site before you agree to remedial shoes.

Rockleyfarm.blogspot.com

At present I know its navi, ddft was mentioned though I am aware of Rockley nic hasn't emailed me back as of yet.

Did the vet give any reason why Sedalin wasn't an option for a month? I've given it for longer than that, obviously on vet advice, and I know others who have too. I would take your friend up on the offer of a companion pony too provided you have the time to care for it & provide at least some exercise.

By the way x-rays will not show a horse isn't laminitic, just that no movement has taken place at that stage.

My chap has an issue with his gut I am tempted to take up my friends offer. She is an old little pony so I don't think exercise ( or a great deal) would be needed.

 

[Michen]

Confused. How can vet diagnose lami from x Rays unless there has been rotation, has their? Is there "navicular" on the x Rays or just MRI? Why can't he have Sedalin for a month, plenty of laminitics do.

Are his soles thin?

 

[Jim bob]

Confused. How can vet diagnose lami from x Rays unless there has been rotation, has their? Is there "navicular" on the x Rays or just MRI? Why can't he have Sedalin for a month, plenty of laminitics do.

Are his soles thin?

There has been some rotation. Navicular was on the MRI. I aren't sure if its to do with his gut issues. Yes soles are thin

 

[Michen]

Ok so no damage as such to the navicular bone if can't be seen on X Ray unless bruising. Interesting re the laminitis.... Is he in work? I wonder if concussion from thin soles... He hasn't got ulcers has he?

There has been some rotation. Navicular was on the MRI. I aren't sure if its to do with his gut issues. Yes soles are thin

 

[paddy555]

if he won't settle in a box and vet allows it I would section off a field area and put him in there with padded boots on. I would then fence off a track around the field pen you have created and put the pony in. That way wherever the pony moves it will still be near to him and he should be happier.

 

[JillA]

Boots with good pads for support of his pedal bone would be my priority. If you measure his feet carefully and then ring one of the retailers (I use Urban Horse) they will not only advise you but arrange overnight delivery too.
And read Pete Ramey's website (http://hoofrehab.com/) he has a wealth of experience in dealing with both conditions.

 

[Jim bob]

Ok so no damage as such to the navicular bone if can't be seen on X Ray unless bruising. Interesting re the laminitis.... Is he in work? I wonder if concussion from thin soles... He hasn't got ulcers has he?

No ulcers, no work at the moment. there is some damage to the navicular bone.

if he won't settle in a box and vet allows it I would section off a field area and put him in there with padded boots on. I would then fence off a track around the field pen you have created and put the pony in. That way wherever the pony moves it will still be near to him and he should be happier.

I am , though I need to restrict his movement.

Boots with good pads for support of his pedal bone would be my priority. If you measure his feet carefully and then ring one of the retailers (I use Urban Horse) they will not only advise you but arrange overnight delivery too.
And read Pete Ramey's website (http://hoofrehab.com/) he has a wealth of experience in dealing with both conditions.

 

[ycbm]

. there is some damage to the navicular bone.

I hope that the vets have told you that this is unlikely to be relevant to his lameness? Lameness is usually resolved if you resolve the soft tissue injuries, in spite of the bone still appearing damaged, unless there are actual bone spurs on it.

 

[Jim bob]

nope, they said to sort out the lami first

 

[FFAQ]

nope, they said to sort out the lami first

Sounds like you have a plan of action, which is a good place to start

Just wondering if you have a plan of action for the gut issues you mentioned? Often, if the gut settles down the laminitis follows quickly after. Good luck

 

[FfionWinnie]

Am I right in remembering the horse was already lame when you took the shoes off?

 

[Jim bob]

yeah horse has bee lame since feb shoes came off in may