Laminitis or Arthritis???

[littlebranshill]

My 22yr old DalesXShire mare has been off work for about 12 months due to near fore lameness.X Rays showed what could be some arthritic changes in hoof. She then came in a month later with swollen fetlock and a soft tissue injury was confirmed although due to her breed scans could not show the site of injury. That was 10 months ago. She was recovering well and I was almost on the point of riding her when one evening 10 weeks ago she looked very staggery. The next morning she could hardly walk and had to be persuaded in to her stable and was clearly in a lot of pain. Vet diagnosed laminitis in all 4 feet as she could feel digital pulses in all of them. She was not rocking or resting her weight on her back feet - just simply did not want to move. Painkillers and strict diet were put in force and today she has improved dramatically although still a little lame in the off fore this time. She was on bute but 2 weeks ago I stopped it and it has not made any difference to her at all. Now this is where it gets interesting. My farrier is convinced that she did not have laminitis in that there are no rings in her hoof and absolutely no other tell tale signs in her feet which, he says, are very good. He thinks its arthritis. So my question is, does anyone have any experience of a sudden onset of arthritis like this? Is this possible? Comments please!

 

[Gilbey]

I have a shire x dales and have had him since a foal. I have had nothing but problems with his feet which the vets, and remedial farriers say is quite normal for a horse of his breeding. I would think it was definately laminitis as it was so sudden. Believe me I have had more than my fair share of laminitis. I have another cob who has got arthritis in his hocks and his has come on slowly and not suddenly. Please dont think all farriers are god, most are but from experience not all. Hope this helps your dilemma.

 

[littlebranshill]

I too have had Chloe since a foal. She has never had laminitis before and never had any problems with her feet. I suppose it was laminitis - just seems odd that it suddenly came on as her routine has always been the same and she has been in the same fields since a foal and strange that there are no "rings" on the hoof wall or any other indication. Did you get signs with your horses feet?

 

[GingerCat]

Thde 'rings' that you describe don't appear straight away, they take time to grow down and be noticeable.

And they don't all get them, my retired gelding has had hormone induced laminitis twice and never shown signs of rings on his hooves.

From the symptoms you describe it does sound as though it was laminitis that Chloe had recently.

How much Bute was she on?..My boy has arthritis too and when his laminitis was at the acute stage it took 3g Bute a day to keep him comfortable and even then he was still reluctant to turn. It's probable that like my horse she had both conditions flare up at the same time.

 

[littlebranshill]

Thde 'rings' that you describe don't appear straight away, they take time to grow down and be noticeable.

And they don't all get them, my retired gelding has had hormone induced laminitis twice and never shown signs of rings on his hooves.

From the symptoms you describe it does sound as though it was laminitis that Chloe had recently.

How much Bute was she on?..My boy has arthritis too and when his laminitis was at the acute stage it took 3g Bute a day to keep him comfortable and even then he was still reluctant to turn. It's probable that like my horse she had both conditions flare up at the same time.

It was 10 weeks ago now so perhaps she won't have any signs. She was on 4 bute a day to begin with but vet told me to cut down as her improvement was good. It didn't occur to me that it could be both conditions at the same time - guess it makes sense. How long did it take for your horse to walk normally again?