Laminitis, does it get them in the end?

[Wooleysmum]

Wooley has gone down with it, second attack in three years, doing well though. I just wondered does it get them in the end? How long can they go on with repeated attacks? He is 23.Done it all by the book and he still came down last Sunday.

 

[Chex]

I guess it depends whats causing it. Some horses seem to go on for years with occasional bouts, other times it can be so bad it gets them early

 

[galaxy]

Pony up my yard is 23 and a few years ago had chronic Lami (nearly put down) and has sine been diagnosed with Cushings. She is out 24/7 with very little grass, worked as much as we can (she's small and it's difficult to find jockey), and feet done regularly and hasn't had another bout in years.

 

[TGM]

If you have taken all precautions against laminitis and still had an attack it might be worth getting a Cushings test done, especially as the condition is more common in the older horse. If horse tests positive then he can be prescribed a medication called Pergolide which is, by all accounts, pretty successful in keeping the symptoms of Cushings at bay, including the laminitic attacks.

 

[SirenaXVI]

Poor you, I can understand your worry. There is a lot of laminitis about at the moment due to the warm wet weather.

Laminitis can be kept under control with very careful management of diet and grazing time plus help from your farrier. As your pony is 23, it might be worth having him tested for cushings as laminitis can be one of the symptoms, if he does test positive don't panic as even with cushings it can be controlled.

Good luck

 

[Sal_E]

Black & white answer to your question is NO, it shouldn't do.

Do speak to your vet though as TGM has made very valid point re cushings.

 

[Wooleysmum]

Thanks. Getting the test done today and tomorrow am. He was always out with a muzzle and two days after the farrier had been, he came down with it, first in three years. Maybe I was getting too confident and let him out for too long at a time. its back to a very strict regime when he does get out again.Been trotting on the roads too, it could be down to many factors, combining together.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Bit late with this but my pony had repeated lami attacks. Was diagnosed with Cushing in 2005, and is now on Pergolide. Fingers and everythiing crossed she has not had laminitis since. Though of course Cushings brings plenty of its own problems but Pergolide does seem to control things well. Just re-read your second post. Our girl often had attacks after the farrier had been, think feet are at their most sensitive after a trim.

 

[Happytohack]

My pony also tested positive for Cushings and is now on pergolide, strict management and imprint shoes and hasn't had an attack for 18 months.
It all depends what is causing the laminitis. Friend's Arab had an attack out of the blue at age 20, he made a complete recovery and died of colic age 29 and never had another attack. Laminitis can be caused by so many things - concussion, stress, foaling, injury etc.

 

[TGM]

If he does test positive then it is worth checking out the Pergolide posts in the Veterinary forum. It works out much cheaper to get the vet to write you a prescription and then buy the drug through a chemist.

 

[JessPickle]

Benji at my yard had laminitis that sounds exactly the same as yours, he was then tested for cushings and this came back positive. He hasnt had another attack since, and allthough he is obviously not in full work he still gets ridden at walk just to keep him ticking over. Its certainly not the end for him he is nearly 20

This is him at the show yesterday!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/pickle_jess/may2007show-28-05-2007-06.jpg

 

[Wooleysmum]

Thanks folks for your replies. Got him tested this week and await the results. Still think its grass, despite being muzzled.

 

[amandaco2]

my ISH got it first time aged 17 this year.no obvious cause.not fat on restricted grass etc.
my little oldie mare (48) had it once as a 26 yo and not had it since

 

[Kitchingman]

I'd be carefull when you test for cushings. When I wanted to test my horse for cushings my vet warned me that there is a risk that the injection of the steroid can bring on lami. I wasn't prepared to risk it so I am now looking into other safer ways to test for it.