Pain Management

Mayday23

Member
Joined
23 May 2023
Messages
16
Visit site
My 18 year old boy has recently been diagnosed with acute laminitis. He is on bute x2, 40 paracetamol a day and 120 gabapentin. Over the past 3 days the vet and I have still not got his pain under control. He has been xrayed.

I am at my wits end as to what to do. I am now icing his legs but not in an ice bucket for 24h. Just wraps and bandages. He is on soft bedding and box rest.

The vet is now talking about euthanasia.

Can you guys please help? Any tips, equine knowledge, herbal remedies etc etc etc.

I Love him so much and this situation is breaking my heart. I just want his pain management under control. Then we can get him recovered.
 

eggs

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 February 2009
Messages
5,363
Visit site
When my old boy (17.00 hh) went down with severe laminitis in all four feet after the farrier cut his feet back too much it was touch and go for a while.

He was on a really thick Aubiose bed all the way up to the door. We was on daily ACP and bute for pain relief. He also had something similar to thick styrofoam pads bandaged to each hoof which had to be changed every couple of days as they got compressed. I was worried as in the first couple of days he seemed to be getting worse but my vet advised that it can go that way and take a few days for any improvement to show. He did make a full recovery and was able to go back out into the field with his mates after a few months.
 

Widgeon

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 January 2017
Messages
3,823
Location
N Yorks
Visit site
He also had something similar to thick styrofoam pads bandaged to each hoof which had to be changed every couple of days as they got compressed.
I was also thinking maybe nappies or similar taped to his feet for extra padding? I'm so, so sorry you're in this situation.
 

meleeka

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 September 2001
Messages
11,554
Location
Hants, England
Visit site
For an emergency a yoga mat or mouse mats make great padding. You’d need a few layers to be thick enough and change often. Has your vet suggested a cushings test?
 

Pearlsacarolsinger

Up in the clouds
Joined
20 February 2009
Messages
46,940
Location
W. Yorks
Visit site
I would ask for a TRH-Stim test for Cushings, or even ask for a Prascend trial, to see if that helps. But ime, when the vet starts talking euthanasia, it really is time to start thinking about it.
 

SEL

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 February 2016
Messages
13,776
Location
Buckinghamshire
Visit site
How were the x rays? If they were OK then I'd also suggest loads and loads of padding.

Is that the maximum bute dose for his size? Boswellia has a different action on pain but I'd double check with your vet first.

Awful situation xx
 

RHM

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 January 2019
Messages
814
Visit site
Mine has laminitis at the moment so I can greatly sympathise.
Luckily my mare isn’t in too much pain but I also give her devils claw and boswellia.

I iced twice a day in the beginning and taped EVA foam padding to her feet.

I now have her in cloud boots which she seems to like a lot more than the padding! Good luck 🤞thinking of you x
 

Mayday23

Member
Joined
23 May 2023
Messages
16
Visit site
Thanks for the advice and support so far. You have all been very helpful and kind.

He is on bute x 2 sachets a day. He doesn't have cushings but it is EMS that he has been diagnosed with alongside the laminitis.
 

PinkvSantaboots

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 August 2010
Messages
24,026
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
It's his feet have not been padded I would do that with foam or frog supports, I actually think the bute dosage is quite low my mare was on 6 sachets a day during the acute stage which was a good few weeks then we gradually reduced it.

Quite often you need to get the ems under control first or the laminitis just won't get better.
 

irishdraft

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 November 2009
Messages
1,834
Visit site
Do you mean 1 bute sachet twice a day ? What is his size ,that doesn't seem much if he is a horse as opposed to small pony. Standard dosing would be 2 sachets twice a day for a horse.
 
Top