Laminitis worries

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artkime

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My 27 year old mare has recently been diagnosed with Cushings, she has now gone down with bad laminitis in left fore with 7degree rotation of pedal bone. Her shoes have been removed and toe cut back and styrofoam pads fitted. 3 weeks on she is still in pain and reluctant to weight bear on that leg. On box rest, deep bed etc. feeling very discouraged today and not sure if I am doing the right thing making her go through all this. Had her 16 years and cant bear to loose her grateful for any advice about how best to help her:(
 
I'm sorry to hear that your mare is poorly :(
The only advice I can give you is to listen to your vet, and ultimately your mare. She will tell you if she's had enough. Even with the rotation, this needn't be a death sentence for her.
 
Aw bless you, I really do feel for you. I haven't had any experience of Cushings but my mare was diagnosed with laminitis last March with rotation in her left fore. The vet came out x-rayed her and put pads on and gave pain killers, the farrier came out the day after and fitted her with Imprint Shoes. I bought rubber matting, shavings and she went on to soaked hay with 1scoop of Happy Hoof with bute and sedalin twice a day. She was stabled for 5months only coming out for x-rays and the farrier every 3weeks.

There was a time when she really went down hill and had to go to the vets, she was putting all her weight on her right fore as it was more comfortable, so her right fore started to rotate as well. Please be careful your mare doesn't do this too. I had a very helpful vet and farrier, they were always at the end of the phone for me and today although her management has completely changed, I am riding, jumping and back to dressage and her feet are amazing.

I really hope your mare gets better x
 
Has your vet prescribed prascend (pergolide)? My mare went down with cushings induced lami three years ago and was put on pergolide straight away, within a week she had improved considerably, both physically and mentally. We thought she was in more pain than she actually was because of the depression brought on by cushings, she just stood without moving staring into space.

She had her feet trimmed back, but the farrier did it in two stages so as not to make her already painful feet too sore.

Although not as old as your mare, we have had her for 18 years and wanted to give her every possible chance. Today she is happy and well and I'm glad we gave her every chance. She is tested every October to ensure the pergolide dosage is doing its job.

Believe me I know how you feel and I don't want to give you false hope, but if your vet hasn't prescribed pergolide please do try it.

Cyber hugs.
 
Tammytoo, sorry to hi-jack post, but I am so happy to hear your story.

I have a 19yr old retired laminitic who I am struggling to stabilise. I won't keep him unless I can give him a good quality of life.

After a horrible 3 months, the vets eventually tested for cushions - and we have now had 4 days on the tablets, so delighted to hear your experience. As a matter of interest, how much grass does your horse get? I am desperate to find a lifestyle for my horse that includes a good deal of 'out', otherwise, there really is no point.

OP, push for a cushings test - there are 15% off vouchers everywhere at the moment. If it is undiagnosed cushings, from what I can gather, you are going to make life very hard for yourself as nothing will make that much difference apart from the cushings medication, so it is best to rule it in/rule it out fairly quickly IMO.
 
Tammytoo, sorry to hi-jack post, but I am so happy to hear your story.

I have a 19yr old retired laminitic who I am struggling to stabilise. I won't keep him unless I can give him a good quality of life.

After a horrible 3 months, the vets eventually tested for cushings - and we have now had 4 days on the tablets, so delighted to hear your experience. As a matter of interest, how much grass does your horse get? I am desperate eventually to find a lifestyle for my horse that includes a good deal of 'out', otherwise, there really is no point.

OP, I know what you are going through, and from my research, the tablets really are the best bet.
 
Canteron - so sorry to hear about your mare, but you will notice a vast improvement with her soon.

My mare is on a restricted paddock, about a third of an acre and is out from 7.30 to 3.30 - 8 hours. She is kept at a fat score of 3 and if there is not enough grass I will throw in some hay rather than increase the grazing area. Latest research now shows that fructans in the grass are at their lowest in the morning and build up during the daylight hours. She was never a laminitic pony, the first attack was cushings induced in winter. During winter I bulk out her hay ration with straw.

Hope this helps, let me know if I can offer any more advice.
 
Thanks for all your replies, she is on pergolide tablets, soaked hay, HappyHoof, and bute for the pain, 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. Farrier trimmed the foot on Friday and was encouraged by her progress and could see an improvement from when he last visited her so maybe we are heading in the right direction. Just taking it one day at a time and enjoying just spending time with her. Thought of trying the boots if we make it to her going out again. Anybody had any expereince of using them on a laminitic.:)
 
Happyhoof, despite what it says on the bag has molasses in it (albeit in the form of Molglo).

I would replace with Fast Fibre and either Equimins Advance Concentrate Powder or Pro Hoof

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRO-HOOF-...r_Equipment&hash=item415c6b4240#ht_1446wt_905

The horse needs minerals in high concentration and HappyHoof won't be giving this.

I'm reading Founder, Prevention and Cure at the moment. It's a good read.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Founder-Prevention-Cure-Natural-Way/dp/0965800733

There's also research by Professor Chris Pollitt floating around that I'm getting through.
 
Thanks,I have always fed Happy Hoof as it has the laminitis trust mark but sounds like she would be better on Fast Fibre, I have added biotin to her feed will this do the same job or is the Pro Hoof better. I have feed Formula for Feet in the past. Just trying to avoid anything with sugar and will be getting her blood tested again in a couple of months
 
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