Update on lameness and a question

[251libby]

After posting yesterday about my horse's slight second lamesness in the last month, I called the vet for some advice, he asked me loads of questions, and decided as the lamesness is only very slight and she seems fine in every other way the best thing would be to give her 2 weeks off of work but still getting turn out and has perscribed some anti inflamatries (sp) for the first week. Then he will come and see her after the 2 weeks and if she's sound then fabb itty fab and if she's is still lame then a full lameness work up will be required

. Farriers due in 2 weeks aswel so might get her to have a nose around so then can eliminate hooves.

After speaking to someone at the yard, they have put the fear of god into me that it could be laminitus as their horse was lame on 1 leg and it was lami (I actually didn't realise this, I thought they'd be lame on all four although after thinking about it, it makes sence thet they'd only be lame on one to start with) she's not standing classicly lami at all so my question is --

What is the early simptoms of lami??

 

[JosieSmith]

Please remember - horses can be lame on only one leg/foot for a variety of reasons, just because she's suggested lami doesn't mean it is.

It commonly affects both front feet at similar times and so you would feel heat at the hoof wall and she would adopt the typical 'sawhorse' stance of leaning back onto her heels on her front feet. Lami can occur quite suddenly and it extremely painful so I'd imagine she'd show more serious signs quicker and imo I don't think it would start with slight lameness in one foot (I'm not a vet though). If she had lami she'd be in a lot of pain and you would have most likely noticed and had vet out asap.

Hope that helps but please remember I'm not a vet - othe people may have other opinions and experience

 

[251libby]

I know it's probably not lami as not showing any symtoms that I know of and was wondering if there were any early signs that I could watch out for just in case

Hopefully the anti-inflamitries will work and vet will give her the all clear

 

[pottamus]

Well first of all, if in doubt ask the vet over to ease your mind...although what they are suggesting sounds fine. But re laminitis I would have to disagree with some of the above comments as it presents itself differntly in each horse. It is the digital pulse you should be checking for not heat, as that is no real indicator at all.
I have had the vet out to my lad recently for an abscess and she pointed out a ridge on his hooves that she was confident indicated he had had a mild bit of laminitis in the spring this year...well he has been ridden every day right through and not been lame at all...so they do not have to be very lame or even stood in the typical stance for it to be laminitis.
Saying that, in your case the vet has advised and is not worried enough to restrict turnout or need to explore further so I would always follow on the vets advise first and foremost. Hope all clears up soon for you.

 

[JosieSmith]

Well it usually affects both front feet so watch out for her rocking her weight between her front feet, or trying to take the weight off the front of her feet. Keep feeling for any heat around the front of her hoof. Apparently the coronary band gets soft and can be pushed in.

Hope that helps,

can't think of anything else to suggest, sorry.