Navicular horse now has laminitis, advice appreciated

[Justmoochin]

Hi,
I am a newbie so please go easy on me

I have a large horse with navicular (had for about a year or so), was low grade but now lame in walk (a bit) as was just trot to begin with, anyway, she has recently come down with a bout of laminitis on top of this and as a result was very, very lame. Was brought in to box rest with bute and acp prescribed and was told if no better in two weeks then she will have to be destroyed.
Today I took her for a walk as the bute (day 5) seems to be helping her, but she appears to be 'dishing' (turning her foot)...which she never did before ... Could it be pedal bone rotation? I also let her into the paddock to have a bit of a run around as she is going stir crazy and threatening to come over the stable door and had trashed her stable and box walked to the point of cannot find any poo in the mush. she was far from lame and running around bucking. rearing and floating like nothing was wrong.....was this adrenalin do you think? (she has done this before then been lame as hell once calmed down.........
Sorry for all the questions, I cannot put her out but cannot leave her in (she also swells badly behind when stabled, hence walking). we have no place to put her off the grass, and she stresses too much when on her own. She is about 17 or 18 years old so not that old, but I do worry about her long term and what is practical......but then I feel really guilty that she is in pain and unhappy.....

 

[_HP_]

http://www.thelaminitissite.org/

Read and follow the advice on this site (alongside your vet and farriers help)....they are extremely knowledgable about all, things laminitis.
Considering her age I would ask your vet to do a Cushings test.
I would also get some X-rays done to check for rotation.
She needs stabling until she is sound WITHOUT any painkillers . If she is running about its because the painkillers are masking the pain and she'll only do herself more damage.
Most horse will adjust to box rest....well soaked hay and a low sugar diet are a must but all the info is on that site.
They run a Facebook group called EMS,Cushings & Laminitis UK Facebook group. They are very helpful and will help you through her recovery.
Laminitis is not a death sentence
Good luck

 

[OLDGREYMARE]

HP's advice is spot on,exactly what I was going to say,please join the facebook group it is marvellous.

 

[Justmoochin]

Thanks I will have a look, though I don't go on facebook much. I am aware of how laminitis works as well as cushings which also crossed my mind to be honest, so may look into getting her tested if she doesn't improve. I haven't given her any bute tonight (or acp), as think the same as you too with regards to masking (vet has been informed and happy enough for me to try)....I will wait to see what she is like in a few days, though expect her legs to puff up without it even more. She is rearing at the door now and after 5 days I would have expected her to calm down but she has never been the best at being in for long periods bless her. Hopefully she will still be in there in the morning lol...... I would be interested to know however re the pedal bone rotation (dishing) if anyone has any experience of this? Or could it be to do with the Navicular? Poor buggar has navicular sending her onto her toes and laminitis onto her heels (which is why she was given bute as she really was in pain even standing, but seems bit better now so will see how she goes without it ). Thank you for your prompt replies, much appreciated.,..have had horses with both things before separately, hence my coming on here....feel so sorry for her x

 

[Nari]

I'm another who agrees with HP.

I also have experience of a big hw with laminintis, and I must say that I think your vet is being a bit negative saying if there's no improvement in 2 weeks then pts.

First of all I'd suggest getting x-rays done so you know exactly what you're dealing with. It's possible to do these with a mobile machine so there's no need to move her. Ideally I'd have the farrier there too so she can be trimmed & supports fitted according to what you find & then x-rayed again to check. If there is rotation droping the heel & shortening the toe can make them instantly more comfortable. Correctly chosen & fitted supports can also make them more comfortable and minimise more damage.

I totally agree about testing for Cushings, again from experience I know how much difference meds can make. However if she's in a lot of pain it may be hard to get a true reading & you'll want to retest in the future when she's more comfortable.

I wouldn't stop the bute as it should be helping with the inflamation.

I'm afraid that until the laminitis is sorted she's going to have to stay on total box rest, I wouldn't even bring my lad out to muck out & the only time he'd leave the box was if the farrier wanted to see him walk a few steps. Everything else is immaterial if you can't get on top of the laminitis so that has to take priority, again I know that's hard because I also have to deal with arthritic hocks that stiffen up as well as gut problems. If needs be up the Sedalin until she gets used to box rest, but if her acth test comes back positive discuss this with the vet as apparently Sedalin shouldn't be given to Cushings horses (until you know this I'd go ahead with the Sedalin though, it's a bit of a gamble but one I'd be prepared to take).

I'd say the dishing you're seeing is her swinging her legs to try & land her foot in a less painful way, I've seen it before in laminitics.

So, in summary:
- get x-rays asap
- get farrier involved to trim & fit the most suitable supports
- total box rest on a deep bed to the door
- address diet
- get acth test
- back on bute & increase sedation to a level where she's calm
- if the vet is being this negative then get another vet! Laminitis can take a long time to fix, 2 weeks is nothing!