Laminitis - Please help :)

[Pollyconk]

Hi, Im trying to gather some information for a project im doing on remedial shoeing for laminitis cases and would really appreciate it if you wouldn't mind taking a couple of minutes to fill out the questionnaire below for me if your horse has experienced laminitis, and been treated with hoof trimming or remedial shoeing as a result - Thanks a lot for your help!

What was your horses’ case of laminitis brought on by? .e.g. carbohydrate overload, diabetes related, concussion, colic....



How was the disease first managed in its early stages? .e.g. drugs such as bute....



Did these treatment methods ease your horses’ pain significantly or were other actions taken?



Did you have radiographs taken of the affected hoof/hooves? If so what was the angle of rotation of the pedal bone? (If you could provide pictures of the x-rays than that would be extremely helpful)



After having radiographs taken, did your vet advise remedial shoeing?



If so, what type of shoe were you advised to use? .e.g. Heart bar shoes, the imprint shoes, frog supports...



How long was the remedial farriery carried out for?



As a rough estimate, how long did it take to significantly increase the comfort of your horse?



As a result of the farriery, did your horse regain soundness? If so, to what extent can he/she be worked now – is it the same as you were able to do so before the laminitis?



If your horse was not remedially shod and you went barefoot, I would appreciate your views on that and the way the treatment was carried out throughout the period of lameness. Also, if you would be willing to provide any photos of your horse and its hooves whilst treatment was being carried out on them it would be extremely helpful, and if you feel you want to give any extra detail on the severity of your horses’ case then that would be great too.


Thanks!

 

[Kellys Heroes]

17 y/0, 14.2hh Sect D X mare

What was your horses’ case of laminitis brought on by? .e.g. carbohydrate overload, diabetes related, concussion, colic....

Horse always treated as laminitic. Laminitis suspected to be Cushings related but brought on by a seizure last April (also suspected to be Cushings related, Cushings just diagnosed)

How was the disease first managed in its early stages? .e.g. drugs such as bute....

Danilon, pads on feet and box rest


Did these treatment methods ease your horses’ pain significantly or were other actions taken?

shoes removed initially, then reshod with heart bars - pain did not ease much at first.

Did you have radiographs taken of the affected hoof/hooves? If so what was the angle of rotation of the pedal bone? (If you could provide pictures of the x-rays than that would be extremely helpful)

Yes, I think it was 9 degrees in the left and 12 in the right...I have no access to pictures I'm afraid

After having radiographs taken, did your vet advise remedial shoeing?

Yes - gave x-rays to farrier for him to use as a guide

If so, what type of shoe were you advised to use? .e.g. Heart bar shoes, the imprint shoes, frog supports...

Heart bars

How long was the remedial farriery carried out for?

Still ongoing from last April

As a rough estimate, how long did it take to significantly increase the comfort of your horse?

2-3 months

As a result of the farriery, did your horse regain soundness? If so, to what extent can he/she be worked now – is it the same as you were able to do so before the laminitis?

She is just coming sound in walk and trot now, still in hand. Farrier is confident she will be sound enough to work - however, may not be able to jump again.

this is a video of her first in hand walk for nearly 12 months if this is helpful - she has Easy Boots on to give her some confidence on the stones and ease any discomfort.

last summer, just coming off box rest after the worst of the lami

K x

 

[bensababy]

What was your horses’ case of laminitis brought on by? .e.g. carbohydrate overload, diabetes related, concussion, colic....
First bout by grass cuttings being fed over fence by stranger
second bout cushings related

How was the disease first managed in its early stages? .e.g. drugs such as bute....
Bute and Support pads on feet till xrays taken

Did these treatment methods ease your horses’ pain significantly or were other actions taken?
support pads helped immensely as did bute


Did you have radiographs taken of the affected hoof/hooves? If so what was the angle of rotation of the pedal bone? (If you could provide pictures of the x-rays than that would be extremely helpful)
Yes, 7 in one and 10 in other. Can you PM and i will email x-rays


After having radiographs taken, did your vet advise remedial shoeing?
First time yes was fitted with heart bars along with pads on soles
Second time No, advised on barefoot due to bad shape of feet


If so, what type of shoe were you advised to use? .e.g. Heart bar shoes, the imprint shoes, frog supports...
Heart bars


How long was the remedial farriery carried out for?
was every 6 weeks lasted 3 months and saw alot of discomfort so removed them and went shoeless.
Now hes trimmed every 7 weeks with Old Mac boots on stony ground

As a rough estimate, how long did it take to significantly increase the comfort of your horse?
First time around 6months
second time 2 months


As a result of the farriery, did your horse regain soundness? If so, to what extent can he/she be worked now – is it the same as you were able to do so before the laminitis?
Yes on both ocacasions however struggles on uneven ground and stones


If your horse was not remedially shod and you went barefoot, I would appreciate your views on that and the way the treatment was carried out throughout the period of lameness. Also, if you would be willing to provide any photos of your horse and its hooves whilst treatment was being carried out on them it would be extremely helpful, and if you feel you want to give any extra detail on the severity of your horses’ case then that would be great too.

Im sorry i dont have any before pictures, will take some current pictures, my farrier was fantastic, came out every 4 weeks to start with to trim and reshape, it looked bleak to start with but after a while there was light at the end of the tunnel. He had acute Laminitis in all 4 feet the first bout - several shoes were tried then from heartbars to american style shoes (i cant remember the name) to clogs - each one he just didnt seem comfortable in, he has very narrow feet and thin cushioned soles - hammering nails in casused him far too much discomfort, i ended up gaining a second opinion from another vet and my current farrier, and he had him sound within 6 weeks by leaving shoeless and regular shaping.

 

[shortstuff99]

First horse- 13.3 new forest pony gelding, age diagnosed- I think at 16 years? (He is now 25!)


What was your horses’ case of laminitis brought on by? .e.g. carbohydrate overload, diabetes related, concussion, colic.... Was actually brought on by Nitrogen overload from artificially fertilised pasture (at the time I didn't realise they could get it from fertiliser!).



How was the disease first managed in its early stages? .e.g. drugs such as bute....A two week course of ACP and continuous bute.



Did these treatment methods ease your horses’ pain significantly or were other actions taken?.. Did help to reduce the pain but the laminitis still lingured so grooves where cut into the hooves



Did you have radiographs taken of the affected hoof/hooves? If so what was the angle of rotation of the pedal bone? (If you could provide pictures of the x-rays than that would be extremely helpful)... No vet didn't recommend horse has no signs of possible rotation.



After having radiographs taken, did your vet advise remedial shoeing?.. see above



If so, what type of shoe were you advised to use? .e.g. Heart bar shoes, the imprint shoes, frog supports...N/a



How long was the remedial farriery carried out for?.....Umm I think the grooves may have been cut twice, but the laminitis went away quite soon after that and so the grooves were allowed to grow out.


As a rough estimate, how long did it take to significantly increase the comfort of your horse?... Pain was reduced quite soon through meds but laminitis was not actually 'cured' untill the grooves were cut, in total I think it becam 6 months box rest!



As a result of the farriery, did your horse regain soundness? If so, to what extent can he/she be worked now – is it the same as you were able to do so before the laminitis?... Yes full soundness! Has done all activities for many years since and is still able to gain over 60% in Novice tests at 25!



If your horse was not remedially shod and you went barefoot, I would appreciate your views on that and the way the treatment was carried out throughout the period of lameness. Also, if you would be willing to provide any photos of your horse and its hooves whilst treatment was being carried out on them it would be extremely helpful, and if you feel you want to give any extra detail on the severity of your horses’ case then that would be great too.

Sorry I have no photos of this as it was quite a long time ago! His laminitis was quite severe he had it in all four feet but was caused by fertiliser and he hasn't had a problem since but is kept on a laminitic diet.


Second Horse- 15hh Cob type mare, age diagnosed 17 years (Current).

What was your horses’ case of laminitis brought on by? .e.g. carbohydrate overload, diabetes related, concussion, colic....Caused By cushings, diagnosed (horse stabled all the time so wasn't being fed that much!)



How was the disease first managed in its early stages? .e.g. drugs such as bute....Danilon and frog pads (also prascend).



Did these treatment methods ease your horses’ pain significantly or were other actions taken?... No horse refused to take meds many others tried, is now on a liquid painkiller (sorry can't remember the name, think it begins with a M) which she will take.



Did you have radiographs taken of the affected hoof/hooves? If so what was the angle of rotation of the pedal bone? (If you could provide pictures of the x-rays than that would be extremely helpful).... All feet scanned, front right shows 5 degrees rotation, Hind left minimal rotation, others no rotation.



After having radiographs taken, did your vet advise remedial shoeing?... Yes



If so, what type of shoe were you advised to use? .e.g. Heart bar shoes, the imprint shoes, frog supports...Heart bar shoes, with pads.



How long was the remedial farriery carried out for?... Still undergoing.



As a rough estimate, how long did it take to significantly increase the comfort of your horse? 3 weeks as needed to find a med that she would take!



As a result of the farriery, did your horse regain soundness? If so, to what extent can he/she be worked now – is it the same as you were able to do so before the laminitis?.... Walking has steadily improved, horse still actually affected as was diagnosed only 6 weeks ago or so, hopefully should return to normal work (had previous leg injuries anyhow).



If your horse was not remedially shod and you went barefoot, I would appreciate your views on that and the way the treatment was carried out throughout the period of lameness. Also, if you would be willing to provide any photos of your horse and its hooves whilst treatment was being carried out on them it would be extremely helpful, and if you feel you want to give any extra detail on the severity of your horses’ case then that would be great too.

Sorry also have no photos of this as didn't think at the time! Her laminitis was quite horrific! She seemed fine one day and then the next couldn't move. She walked liked an abused horse. All of her weight would be on her hind legs and then she would throw the two front legs forward and then shuffle the back. Couldn't stand for a long period of time either. Since succesful med treatment and remedial treatment can now walk nearly sound and can stand without two much pain. Just takes a long time!

lol phew that was long sorry!

 

[pottamus]

What was your horses’ case of laminitis brought on by? .e.g. carbohydrate overload, diabetes related, concussion, colic....
Combination of less exercise, too much grass and the vet strongly believed the main culprit was a lack of proper care in trimming by farrier.


How was the disease first managed in its early stages? .e.g. drugs such as bute....
Usual...confined to stable 24/7, bute and sedalin. Unfortunately the vet and farrier both initially diagnosed an abscess so he was treated for this and when it did not appear by week 3 he went for xrays to find out it was laminitis and the lack of treatment in the early stages had caused rotation in one front.


Did these treatment methods ease your horses’ pain significantly or were other actions taken?
The vets farrier did a really good trim and got his feet back to the size they should be (my farrier had let them get a bit long) and he had heart bars put on. There was a significant improvement in my horse following this but I would say that was down to a better trim and dress of the feet rather than specifically the heartbar shoes.


Did you have radiographs taken of the affected hoof/hooves? If so what was the angle of rotation of the pedal bone? (If you could provide pictures of the x-rays than that would be extremely helpful)
12 degrees rotation sideways rather than downwards in one front only.


After having radiographs taken, did your vet advise remedial shoeing?
Yes, as above.


If so, what type of shoe were you advised to use? .e.g. Heart bar shoes, the imprint shoes, frog supports...
Heartbars with no supports.


How long was the remedial farriery carried out for?
He had two sets of heartbars on and then the vets farrier decided he was able to cope with normal shoes as he did not feel the heartbars were achieving anything. After a good trim and normal shoes he walked off the vets yard sound and never looked back in his recovery.


As a rough estimate, how long did it take to significantly increase the comfort of your horse?
I would say that the initial proper trim and dress of his feet improved him no end but his overall recovery is hard to judge as he had secondary abscess problems following his all clear as sound by the vet. So as a rough guess I would say a good 2 months to coming sound and off bute.


As a result of the farriery, did your horse regain soundness? If so, to what extent can he/she be worked now – is it the same as you were able to do so before the laminitis?
My horse has been sound for a year and is back to doing what he previously was - hacked on roads and trails 6 days a week.