Laminitis pain

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Louise1982

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Hi, just wanted to hear peoples thoughts...

Our 14.2hh, 13 year old Connemara came down with laminitis after having his coffin joint injected two weeks ago. We were aware there was a small risk but he was fit and healthy, not overweight and had the blood tests beforehand. He has been X-rayed twice now and thankfully there is no sign of any movement at the moment. His temperature has come down, his feet are a bit cooler and he seems brighter in himself (although not impressed with the restricted diet). He is on box rest, is having his legs iced during the day and bandaged at night. Despite being on pain killers he is still obviously in a lot of pain, in fact can hardly move (but won't lie down).

I had hoped we would start to see some improvement this week. I've done a lot of reading online and I know it probably differs from case to case, but I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and how long it took for the initial pain to settle down and for the horse/pony to be more comfortable?

Thanks in advance,
Louise
 
I am guessing that the injections was steroids to have caused laminitis? I've seen this happen to a skinny minny thoroughbred who would never have been a laminitis risk otherwise. :(

My advice is to keep in close touch with your vet and take any return to movement extremely carefully. Laminitis caused in this way can be very serious and acute for a long period. Unlike normal laminitis, you can't remove the cause (steroids) so you just have to wait. Rotation is a real risk for some weeks. I'm sorry to worry you, but the horse I mention rotated and never stopped doing so, his movement wasn't restricted for long enough and he couldn't be saved sadly.

With careful management it doesn't have to be that outcome.
 
Check your diet too, lowest sugar/starch chop ( hi fi molasses free) and soak hay, if on haylage, try and swap...nice deep bed as said and if he hasnt improved soon, ask the vet to come back out...good luck
 
Thanks for your comments so far. Yes he is now on a deep shavings bed, we were worried about him eating the straw. It was a steroid injection - he had been lame (only on corners, on the right rein) since December. We had all the scans etc. which showed slight wear and tear so this was the suggested treatment. Vet is coming out two/three times a week at the moment and I think we caught it relatively early. Diet-wise he is having small amounts of soaked hay during the day and then chaff with his meds in.

On that though, it has been suggested (not by the vet but by someone who knows a lot about homeopathic treatments and horses) that we shouldn't be cutting his food right down as this reduces the amount going through his digestive system, meaning the toxins can't work their way out? We were also worried because he isn't doing many droppings. They've suggested we increase food and also steam hay instead of soak it. What she says makes sense and she has helped him in the past, but for the moment we are doing as we are told by the vet. Would be interested to hear what you think.

Thanks again x
 
steaming hay does NOT reduce the sugars so you need to soak it....please, please take notice of your vet......also do NOT increase his feed, he needs to have plenty of fibre so that means hay(soaked) , ....... please run any changes past your vet, after all he is the one you are paying to look after your horse...hope all goes well ...
 
splashgirl45 said:
steaming hay does NOT reduce the sugars so you need to soak it....please, please take notice of your vet......also do NOT increase his feed, he needs to have plenty of fibre so that means hay(soaked) , ....... please run any changes past your vet, after all he is the one you are paying to look after your horse...hope all goes well ...
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Agree but do not reduce the amount of soaked hay, in fact perhaps increase it feeding in small holed nets to slow intake. He needs a constant supply of very low sugar forage to keep his gut working and blood sugar stable and reduce stress.
Hay needs to be soaked in fresh water each time and rinsed well before feeding.

Fingers well and truly crossed.
 
Thanks all. Any changes will definitely be discussed with the vets, they've been brilliant so far. He's lost a huge amount of weight so I think we're going to ask about increasing his hay tomorrow as agree with amandap that we need to keep his gut working and flush out the chemicals.

Another question, has anyone had any experience treating laminitis with homeopathic medicines?

We aren't going down this route at the moment but it has been suggested so just wondered what peoples thoughts were on that? Sorry for all the questions :)

Thanks
 
The only chemicals you'll be flushing out are the painkillers... Laminitis is an Inflammation not infection. Reduce feed, rethink it too, Soak hay, double net it. A amandap has put, check out the laminitis site.
 
amandap......sorry perhaps not clear i meant do not increase hard feed but feed plenty of soaked hay instead.....

louise 1982, check out www. talkaboutlaminitis .co.uk this has lots of info which may help you...., i would suggest go down the normal route for laminitis treatment and save the homeopathic for something that isnt life threatening...i am worried that you will be persuaded by this person to try something which has not been proved to work.....hope your horse is soon feeling better...
 
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