Laminitis

[titchy]

My pony has just been diagnosed and being treated for very early onset laminitis.

In walk she is not too happy, but in trot definitely in pain. Vet said all four feet looked sore when asked to trot. Vet also said her digital pulses were normal, and no sensitivity to hoof testers, so thinks it is very early. Pony has also very recently (last two weeks) gained weight despite my efforts.

My pony was also wormed with equvalan (spelling?) 8 days ago. Do you think this might be the cause of pony's feet pain? Seems strange pony does not react to hoof testers, does not have raised digital pulses, and seems sore on all four feet. I thought she would have had a reaction to the wormer the next day or two, not a week later if that was the culprit.

Does this sound like laminitis to you, or something else. Can anyone offer any advice?

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I think everyone would agree that if you have a footy horse or pony and there is even a suspicion that it is laminitis, then you should immediately (and I mean immediately) treat it as if it is. This means immediate stabling on deep, soft bedding right up to the stable door. Soaked hay, careful fibre diet to achieve gradual weight loss without starvation. Your vet will advise on pain relief, anti inflammatories etc.

You ask about recent worming brackley and it has triggered a hazy memory that I can't quite pin down. I'm sure I've read about worming being responsible for bringing on an attack of laminitis but can't remember the details. Laminitis starts in the gut, not the feet so it makes sense to a degree that over enthusiastic worming on a horse with an unknown worming history or worming a horse that has a heavy worm burden could bring on an attack of laminitis. But hun, I'm pretty certain that it isn't that worming can make a horse footy and this can be mistaken for laminitis. I'm sure it's that worming can cause laminitis which will then make the horse footy. Regardless of the cause, if laminitis is suspected the horse should be stabled immediately on deep soft bedding to support the frog.

 

[AngieandBen]

Same as what Box of Frogs says

 

[amandap]

I think everyone would agree that if you have a footy horse or pony and there is even a suspicion that it is laminitis, then you should immediately (and I mean immediately) treat it as if it is. This means immediate stabling on deep, soft bedding right up to the stable door. Soaked hay, careful fibre diet to achieve gradual weight loss without starvation. Your vet will advise on pain relief, anti inflammatories etc.

I agree strongly with this. Treating as if it is laminitis is not going to be detrimental in any way and may save progression and further damage... a 'no brainer' for me.

 

[Cobbysmum]

It's not always overweight horses/ponies either. My old pony gets it earlier and earlier each year and is on a starvation paddock all year. My little welshie is 5 and has never had it before, within a 24 hour period she was looking footy and has been on box rest for the last 10 days. Neither are overweight. They are both now sound and the three ponies are having just a few hours a day on a half acre paddock and will stay like this till October, after the autumn flush of grass, with just a hi-fibre feed morning and night. I think we had a period of sun and then some rain and the grass shot through.

 

[Eaglestone]

When Motor went down with Cushings Induced Laminitis, he did not react to the testers but had full blown Laminitis, so as others have said, I would treat this a Laminitis and go into 'lock down' .....

ETS ... horses and ponies have such a high pain threshold and they put up with a lot, before they 'give in' to the pain and discomfort .... well that is my opinion ....