Tendons to be cut - Laminitus

Re the Lamintis Trust, there are plenty of vets, farriers and other foot experts who have fundamental disagreements with what they are doing. My own vet's opinions of Robert Eustace and the work done at the Trust are unprintable.

Coorunnings, the problem with the OP's pony who started this thread is Cushings at ten years old. It's very early onset, but not unheard of.

Can you check the Dengie nuts for molasses (sugar) wheat syrup (frutose!!!) and corn syrup (fructose again!!!)?? It should be listed on the white label sewn to the bottom of the bag - in very small print! Lots of foods sold as safe for laminitics contain a large percentage of sugar.
 
Fingers crossed its just a glich and he's up and running asap
smile.gif


As for Cushings...I'm no expert but I pretty sure they can get it at any age. I know the pony I was given last year with recurrent lami was tested several times for it and he is just 10. May be worth a call to the vet for advice
smile.gif
 
smile.gif
cptrayes, re the Dengie pellets, they are just alfalfa, nothing else in them at all, just the same as SS lucie nuts but a little cheaper and easier to get hold of; the Lucie stalks are long stemmed alfalfa too.
I'm paranoid about molasses lol.

I used to feed the Good Doer until I found out it was 8% sugar eek!

http://www.dengie.com/pages/products/additional-products/alfalfa-pellets.php

I will call the vets Monday and book an appointment, always better to know about Cushings.
 
Horrific isn't it? A friend of mine bought a brand name feed, beginning with S... marked as "safe for laminitics" in big print on the bag itself - and 7.5% sugar in tiny print on the content label.

Cushings is a difficult test - should be done at daybreak to get an accurate result, I understand, and terribly prone to false negatives. I had a seven year old tested once which came back negative. I sold him as chronic laminitic and his new owners had him shod and never had a problem with letting him graze. He's eleven now and not had an episode since. He's the one who started me thinking barefoot horses get laminitis more easily.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Horrific isn't it? A friend of mine bought a brand name feed, beginning with S... marked as "safe for laminitics" in big print on the bag itself - and 7.5% sugar in tiny print on the content label.

[/ QUOTE ] I think the threshold for starch/sugar content for Laminitis Trust approved feeds is about 10% (similar to that of average quality hay) and for your bog standard laminitic that would probably not cause a problem. But when you have a very sensitive/Cushingoid animal then you will want to keep non-soluble carbohydrates to an absolute minimum, so a clear and bold statement of the total sugar AND starch level would be most useful. (With laminitis we often keep banging on about sugar but you do have to remember that starch levels are important as well.) I would much rather the feed companies gave us the actual facts and figures rather than labelling feeds with vague titles such as 'laminitis safe', 'non-heating', 'conditioning', 'high-fibre' etc.
 
I've seen it done in the US by a dual qualified farrier-vet (already mentioned above) - infact Ive seen 2 cases handled by him. Both I saw before and after tendons were cut (in a third case I saw the inferior check lig cut). All are doing well now (almost 4yrs later having had no relapses/flare ups). It does however require intensive care (the 2 mares i handled had splints for weeks, v regular trimming and sheoing). I believe their treatment (not including the nursing costs/staff) cost in the region of $15,000 for the first 2-3mths post first signs of laminitis (periparturient).
Its not something I would ever have done to my own horses - no matter what their value. On a sentimental note, I wouldnt prolong the life of a horse that I wasnt sure I could give an excellent quality of life to - and that goes for any chronically lame horse or pony.
However these were very valuable racing broodmares and it was an economic decision - but the absolute best care possible was afforded to them. All 3 have since had at least one foal - one has now been retired as a nanny (and all are comfortable in the field). Realistically none will be kept past the age of 20 - that was a decision taken at the time of surgery.
 
TGM I agree with you re the labling on feed bags, I spend ages trawling their websites trying to find info on starch/sugar levels; Often end up ringing them to find out.

He's never been shod, he's just a pet really! he has got fantastic feet, and as I said earlier, this is his first blip in 8 years.

I will keep you updated with his progress, thanks
 
[ QUOTE ]
hi, there is no need to cut tendons, this practic is out of date and is jsed by people who are not up to speed on laminitis treatment, if you want help you can p m me

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree whole heartedly with this!! The bone has dropped due to lack of wall connection (usually diet related) and thin sole at the toe along with high heel ie. hoof capsule around the bone is wrong! To badly quote Pete Ramey... The bone hasn't gone anywhere, it can't, it's part of the skeleton!! It's the hoof around it that is not right.
Please everyone learn about this and the importance of diet and movement.

Just think about it... the bone is dropped at the front of the foot so cutting tendons at the back of the foot may level the bone but the whole bone will then have dropped!!!

Mta... my understanding is the safest feed for laminitics is SOAKED hay (vital in the acute phase) and good balancer like top spec, magnesium oxide and salt!! That is it so no need to worry imo about feeds certainly in the short term.
If you suspect any metabolic issues or are struggling with diet contact Jackie Taylor at www.MetabolicHorse.co.uk
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheMetabolicHorse
 
Sorry to be blunt but if it was between having my horse PTS because of both laminitis and cushings.. or having his Tendons cut.. it have the horse PTS!

He would have month and months of agony from the tendons, and the cushings is not gunna be cured.. sorry but its an outdated and barberic practise.

Lou x
 
I think I would have to have a long think about it if it was straight laminitis causing the problems, but would probably come to the same conclusion.

In this case, with the cushings I think that would seal it for me and i would PTS.
 
Found this "Surgical transection of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) has also been used to reduce the shearing forces during the acute phase of laminitis. One study reported a 60% survival rate at 2 years after the procedure. Those animals who do recover from the severing of the deep digital flexor tendon are usually not comfortable enough to ride. Even with these issues in mind, current veterinary practices suggest that a deep digital flexor tenotomy is the fastest way to counteract the rotational forces and restore the perfusion and tissue mass to the dorsal regions of the foot." on this site ;http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7473429.html it also talks of botox injections but I think they are better in the acute stage (early stage of onset) Good luck Ellie
xxx
 
Absolutely right amandap - the so called science behind cutting the DDF tendon is so far off the mark as to be laughable. Why does the DDF tendon suddenly start to pull the pedal bone just because the horse has laminitis? Where do they think the extensor tendon has gone - on holiday? What do they think normally keeps the pedal bone in position? I think they just make it up as they go along.
 
My biggest worry with cutting tendons is it's often not able to repair and is therefore a permanent point of weakness. Also from what I understand it does absolutely nothing to resolve the problem!!! Laminitis has to be approached holistically, we must look at diet, management and trim to help a strong foot grow!

Really vets etc. must stop looking at hooves as a seperate part of the horse and not continue in 'traditional' thinking about these life and death problems!
I'm only an owner and I've managed to learn about this stuff and put it into practise with my own pony so I know it works!!!
Please everyone learn all you can and be prepared to change things.
 
QR. I haven't read all the posts so forgive me if someone else has mentioned this but I understand the technique was originally pioneered by Dr Ric Redden - you might be interested to check out his theory behind it: www.nanric.com
 
Where are you AlpacaLady?

I would see if you have a UKNHCP practitioner or farrier close by - or contact Nic Barker or Sarah Braithwaite and ask them who could evaluate. The UKNHCP folks can possibly help you rehabilitate without this.

This is a drastic action.
 
i dont know anything about it- can the veterinary centre not talk it through with you- complications, sucess rate etc etc.
on face value from the sounds of it, its not something i would like to do to one of mine...
my old girl had it once very mildly and it was awful.she had no rotation and recovered.
 
Hi Alpacalady,

My horse had this operation done at the beginning of December, although did not have cushings. If you would like any info on how it was performed, costs and how she is 7 weeks on just PM me.

Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top