Laminitis is one of the commonest types of lameness treated by vets from our practice.
It usually affects all four feet, but is almost always worst in the front feet. Laminitis should always be regarded as a serious disease, as it can have life threatening consequences. Even with intensive care some cases never recover.
It can affect horses but it is commonest in ponies. Laminitis can occur at any time of year. One of the commonest misconceptions about this disease is that it only strikes during the Spring. We now see more cases in the Autumn than the Spring, but vigilance is required all year around.
Signs include:-
- Reluctance to move.
- Shifting weight from one foot to another.
- Standing like a 'rocking horse'.
- Heat in the feet.
- A bounding pulse can often be felt at fetlock level.
Laminitis is most often caused by diet. Obesity, sudden increases in the volume of grass or carbohydrate rich feed, are the commonest factors. Some other diseases may also induce laminitis, Cushings disease, metritis, work on hard ground, stress (particularly after surgery) can all be responsible.
What should you do if your pony has laminitis?
- Call your Vet. This is not something you can treat yourself.
- Don't force the pony to walk, however if it is in a field you must remove it from the pasture, so take it straight to its stable.
- Sand is the ideal bedding, and your vet may wish to remove the pony's shoes in the convalescent stages.
- Do not starve your pony, this can lead to the development of hyperlipaemia (a disease in which there is too much fat in the blood stream leading to complete liver failure). You do need to restrict diet (see below).
- Cold hosing of the feet or even wrapping in ice packs may be helpful, but only for the first 12 hours.
What causes the pain?
There is an alteration in blood flow in the foot during an attack of laminitis. Although more blood is pumped into the feet by the heart, it doesn't reach the laminae which become starved of oxygen. If the process continues for a long time then the laminae die, causing a breakdown of the junction between the horny and sensitive laminae. This is painful, and the pain itself leads to a further constriction of the blood vessels. Due to the weakened attachments the pedal bone may rotate or sink in the hoof.
Xray showing rotation and sinking of the pedal bone. This is a chronic (ongoing) case, note how the toe of the pedal bone turns upwards.
Feeding
The objective is to feed a high fibre, low carbohydrate and good quality protein feed. This can be done using a mix of alfalfa, chopped straw, hay/grasss in small quantities. Guidelines are :-
13.2hh pony. 1kg alfalfa and 0.75 kg hay twice daily.
15.0hh Cob 0.75 kg alfa-A, 0.74 kg Dengi HiFi and 1.25 kg hay twice daily.
Farriers formulae supplement provides all the essential micronutrients for hoof growth.
Do not feed bran as it will upset the calcium : phosphorus ratio.
How can you prevent laminitis?
Do not allow your pony to become overweight - you should be able to feel its ribs and it should not have a hard crest. Judges of pony classes should be encouraged to mark down overweight ponies. Many vets feel that the fashion for grossly fat ponies in the show ring is a major cause of laminitis.
Watch out all year round for sudden flushes of grass, and don't be off guard in the Autumn.
Keep your pony's feet regularly trimmed.
Useful Links:
www.equilife.co.uk/laminitis-org.html
www.imprintshoes.co.uk
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