Laminitis

[wickedwilfred]

I have an 18 year old shetland who has suffered with winter laminitis for several years. The difference for him is that during the summer months, he can skip around in unrestricted grazing without any problems. I understand that the winter laminitis is caused by restricted blood flow in the legs, so we always try to bring him in if the weather is frosty. My vet says he should be on Metformin and Pergolide, but I am reluctant to give him this all year round if it isn’t necessary. Does anyone have similar experiences and advice to share ?

 

[Hollylee1989]

Have you had a recent blood test done? Unsure why your vet wants you to give him pergolide if he's not borderline or doesn't have cushings. I strip graze my shetland, and have seen great results from a supplement called Navilam o. We also feed p45 from trinity consultants, they give you great advice on your individual need.

 

[meleeka]

I’d be getting him tested for PPID. Winter laminitis is a classic sign. If that’s positive, start him on Prascend/Pergolide. He might only get laminitis in the winter, but keeping him medicated all year should keep him on an even keel so you don’t have the ups and downs.

If it really is to do with the cold, bandaging or using leg wrap is better than just bringing in.

 

[wickedwilfred]

Have you had a recent blood test done? Unsure why your vet wants you to give him pergolide if he's not borderline or doesn't have cushings. I strip graze my shetland, and have seen great results from a supplement called Navilam o. We also feed p45 from trinity consultants, they give you great advice on your individual need.

He was blood tested about 2 years ago but the results were inconclusive, which I understand frequently happens. Since then, he has been trouble-free until this winter, without changing anything in his diet or way of life, which is why I am reluctant to put him on drugs all the time.

 

[wickedwilfred]

I’d be getting him tested for PPID. Winter laminitis is a classic sign. If that’s positive, start him on Prascend/Pergolide. He might only get laminitis in the winter, but keeping him medicated all year should keep him on an even keel so you don’t have the ups and downs.

If it really is to do with the cold, bandaging or using leg wrap is better than just bringing in.

The laminitis only appears in the winter months. Spring and summer grass doesn’t effect him at all - only frozen ground.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would put him on a very low dose like quarter of a tablet rather than risk laminitis, one of my Arab's was borderline cushings and his coat just wasn't right last year so his on half a tablet and his coat was better this year so has had a positive effect, my horse became footy on 2 occasions once in winter and then in Autumn and since being on prascend his been fine.

 

[Tiddlypom]

He's 18 and was last tested for Cushing's two years ago, which was inconclusive?

Winter only laminitis is one symptom of Cushing's. I'd be doing regular tests on him. The autumn rise is not too far off in which affected horses show a much greater rise in ACTH levels than normal horses. Much better to be armed with the information and able to put a treatment/management plan into action than waiting for another lami attack and dealing with the aftermath.