laminitis recovery questions

J

JLD

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 May 2008
Messages
969
Visit site
My pony had a bout of laminitis 3 weeks ago as a result of lymphangitis he was pretty poorly for a week but has been doing well my vet wants him out as much as possible in a muzzle but I cannot stop it rubbing I have 3 different muzzles I have put sheep skin on the rubbing bits but it is really bad and he is looking really miserable and is getting quite head shy. He is managing to eat with it on but since the original lymphangitis was a a result of a skin infection I am getting quite twitchy ! I have introduced it slowly by about 30 mins a day but it is still making g him raw after a couple of hours. Have tried sudocreme Vaseline etc. I am also worried he seems a bit more uncomfortable in his feet again, I would keep him in but vet is adamant he should be out. Wondering about strip grazing on a very small area without a muzzle - is my paddock and can do what ever I need to but am new to all of this but getting quite stuck as can't see how a muzzle is going to work . Help and advice gratefully received !
 
Sorry wasn't 3 weeks was 6 weeks ago thought that all sounded a bit quick , also meant to say he is out for 2-3 hours twice a day with his muzzle on and in with soaked hay the rest of the time on 8 metformin twice daily and one Danilon alternate days. Cushings test neg waiting for EMS result. My vet has an interest in EMS and laminitis and is quite involved in research so even though it goes against everything I thought I knew about laminitis I am guided by him but this muzzle thing isn't working !
 
Do you have anywhere with no grass or very little he could go, an arena would be perfect, if he could just be out moving around with some hay it may be better than being muzzled or stood in, movement at this stage is probably what the vet wants but obviously without him getting too much grass to set him back.
If it is your own land it may be worth investing in making an exercise area for him as this will be a long term management issue and having somewhere he can go safely may be really worthwhile, it need not be anything fancy just clear somewhere and get some woodchips on, some grass will come through but it should be little enough to be safe and keep him occupied, a track system would also be worth looking into.
 
I agree with be positive, but if you have to muzzle him, how about trying a Greenshield? It's different from the usual type and doesn't come up so far on the face but is mainly around the mouth area. They're quite expensive, but look on ebay.
 
Def try for a strip grazing or circuit solution if you can, really bare paddock, mow if you have to to get it short! I used to put soaked hay out in bare dusty paddock for my lad when he was recovering from lami, i didnt get on with the muzzle either, though that was me not horse!
The vet will want him out moving due to previous lymphangitis i'm guessing.
Have a look at the laminitis site for loads of info and a link to a FB page, where they can help answer any questions you may have :)
 
Micky said:
Def try for a strip grazing or circuit solution if you can, really bare paddock, mow if you have to to get it short! I used to put soaked hay out in bare dusty paddock for my lad when he was recovering from lami, i didnt get on with the muzzle either, though that was me not horse!
The vet will want him out moving due to previous lymphangitis i'm guessing.
Have a look at the laminitis site for loads of info and a link to a FB page, where they can help answer any questions you may have :)
Click to expand...


Haven't been able to thank you for advice as h+h wouldn't let me log in for ages, I have given up on muzzling for long periods as what ever I did he ended up rubbed raw even with gradual introduction so I have him back on a narrow track which I am gradually making longer and turning him out for 2 hours a day in his muzzle in the bigger field for a hoon around which he can cope with. Am on tenterhooks all the time as was on a track with only well soaked hay when he went down with it, but his Cushings test was negative so hoping was just unlucky. So just keeping fingers firmly crossed but not sure what else I can do. Thanks for the advice though
 
Have you had him tested for EMS/IR? Could also be the trigger for laminitis....same diet restrictions as a lami, low sugar/starch feed ( not happy hoof or mixes) soaked hay, limited grazing and correctly balanced feet, add metformin ( the drug used to help with EMS, not lifelong drug like prascend for cushings)..v manageable :)
 
My girl is lammi prone, she's only 12hh with a small pony head, but found the pony sized muzzles rubbed and made her sore. I now have her in a cob sized muzzle. the head piece goes small enough so she cant get it off, but the actual muzzle part is wide enough that I doesn't rub her face. She can have this on for long periods of time without any rubs. (hope this makes sense.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top