Unusual laminitis case

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budatiger

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My 6 year old TB/Conn cross is on his second episode of fairly significant foot soreness in the last 5 weeks. Initially he was out 24/7, not in work as turned away for the winter following PRP for PSD, so not coming in or out of field or having to work over hard ground. Was very painful on his fores, with strong pulses on all 4, but more comfortable immediately when on a deep bed. After a week box rest he walked out sound. Interesting to note all his field companions were fine, and most would be considered the type to be more susceptible.
Was carefully reintroduced to very limited grass but within 10 days was sore on all 4. Looked almost as though was tying up, very stiff, head dropped, very miserable.
Vet came, diagnosed laminitis and he's been in since (2 weeks) on danilon. There is no rotation, thankfully, but still obvious pulses. Walked out well a few days ago when the vet saw him again. Will wean him off the danilon and see how he goes.
Now the mystery. He is lean, managed the same way as my Cushings pony, and has tested negative for Cushings and Insulin resistance.
Any ideas?
 
X Ray's done last week. No rotation. Soles of good depth, nothing to explain his soreness, although I have asked my v experienced farrier to review. Had to push for Cushings test and may do the dynamic IR test if he flares again. I will check whether full bloods were done.
He had a GA in December for his MRI & PRP. Was stomping out barefoot on the tracks/roads for his in hand rehab no problem.
 
I would get him tested for cushings and ems again my horse tested negative for both but I was convinced she had cushings so I tested again and both were positive :(
 
You could think about EPSM/PSSM, especially with the tying up look. Some of them just can't cope with carbs at all. I'm not sure that lami is a documented risk of it but I know at least one that got it badly, and one of mine gets very strong pulses (I can see them, I don't need to feel them) if he is not perfectly managed to control the condition.
 
Ems can be difficult to get a correct reading...acth test for ppid (cushings) shouldn't be hard...aren't lip hook doing a free test at the moment?. Go with the symptoms as much as the acth reading for a diagnosis do ppid..have a look at the laminitis site as it ha all the info for all conditions mentioned, might be of enormous help to you...
 
I have a mare that was fit, healthy and being ridden daily, she was not overweight and it was end of October when she became very lethargic and obviously there was somthing wrong. Vet called who diagnosed laminitis, I was shocked. Called farrier out who confirmed diagnosis. Both were baffled by it but treated her as a laminitic. She was on bute being kept in on a deep bed. She got worse. She then decided she was going to jump out of her stable onto the wood chip area then over the gate into the field. Within hours of her escape she was looking and moving better. Over thenext couple of years fought to keep it at bay. The moment she got footy in she came the moment the bute kicked in out she jumped. She was miserable so decided that it was not a happy existance for her being kept in, she hated it so decided to leave her out 24/7. Haven't looked back, that was about 10 years ago, she hasn't had laminitis since. Sorry OP long story but my point is that laminitis isn't always caused by too much grass or horse being overweight. Noth vet and farrier felt my mare had stress laminitis, she hates being kept in, simple as that. Finding the cause of the laminitis is a big step forward. Good luck with your horse they can and do recover.
 
Ive experience of both Cushings and EMS and he really has no other clinical symptoms of either. I may push for another IR test as I am aware they can be hit or miss.
Would routine bloods pick up anything indicative of muscle myopathy or are there very specific tests?
In the absence of any other explanation, it could be concussive. It seems unlikely though given he was out 24/7 on a flat, unrutted field before it got really dry and hard (we're in Scotland) and was not in work. He is young and does like to play, so maybe too much boisterous cavorting?
Crugeran Celt, how odd. My guy was out 24/7, most chilled he's ever been. Oddly I thought he would be stressed being in on his own now, but he's relaxed and happy.
It's so tricky.
 
The muscle myopathy test is specific and done after exercise or a gene test for EPSM type 1 or a biopsy for type 2
 
Crugeran Celt said:
Sorry OP long story but my point is that laminitis isn't always caused by too much grass or horse being overweight. Noth vet and farrier felt my mare had stress laminitis, she hates being kept in, simple as that. Finding the cause of the laminitis is a big step forward. Good luck with your horse they can and do recover.
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Agree - many causes triggering the same effects. Other causes include colic episodes and infections (e.g. viral not just foot infections).
 
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