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LAMINITIS
EXPLAINED
Prevention
is better than cure. Spring is the
danger period when fresh new grass contains very high concentrations of
carbohydrate. All experts
agree that soluble carbohydrate is the cause and it is the total weight
of carbohydrate which a horse or pony eats which puts it at risk of
developing laminitis. But
be aware that a new flush of grass following a prolonged dry spell through
the summer also spells danger. I
have even more admissions to the Laminitis Clinic in September. But
80% of cases could be avoided by careful management and feeding.
Feed according to work and seek out the lower energy high fibre
feeds now available which carry the Laminitis Trust Approval Mark.
Dengie, Spillers and Dodson & Horrell manufacture suitable
feeds. Ensure
your pony is in the correct bodily condition before
you start to turn out in the Spring as you can’t diet an animal at
grass. You should be able to
feel his ribs easily when you run your hand along his side. He shouldn’t have fat deposits, particularly along his
crest. Don’t overfeed – especially to achieve so-called “show ring
condition”. You
can restrict grass intake of those at high risk by dividing grazing into
smaller ‘weight-watchers’ paddocks.
However, collect droppings daily to avoid the animal ingesting
large worm burdens, which could lead to severe illness or even death.
Also, consider the use of a muzzle with a slot cut in the bottom,
enabling him to graze while restricting consumption (check muzzle daily).
Greenguard make a muzzle suitable for horses, though I think it is too
large to be reliable on small ponies. Laminitis
attracts more old wives tales than most equestrian subjects.
Ignore them and follow this simple advice:- Treat
all cases as an emergency. Call
your vet. Correct treatment in the first hours will dramatically reduce
the likelihood of it developing into the more serious conditions Founder
or Sinking. The
animal is in severe pain.
Move him to a stable with a deep bed of shavings.
If he is a distance from his stable, consider transporting him
rather than cause further pain by walking.
Do
not starve. Offer a low
calorie fibre diet with soaked sugar beet pulp, limited hay and
Farrier’s Formula supplement. The
reason I recommend Farrier’s Formula is because it contains the three
nutrients known to help the liver in deactivating toxins. - liver dysfunction commonly coincides with laminitis. Your
vet will prescribe pain killers, usually ‘Bute’, and acepromazine (ACP),
a peripheral vasodilator which will help improve the blood supply to the
laminae. ACP also acts as a
mild tranquilliser and will encourage the pony to lay down and take the
weight off his painful feet. The
vet may want to X-ray the feet to ascertain the damage already done.
X-Rays taken at the onset are useful for comparisons later,
provided a repeatable technique is used.
He may fit frog supports to take the strain off the laminar
structure. Don’t fit
anything which makes him take weight on his soles. He should have complete box rest and shouldn’t be walked
for 30 days after he is sound without the use of painkilling drugs. The
Laminitis Clinic Helpline: We provide veterinary advice, a rapid radiological reporting service and a referral service. Your vet can call us on 0870-444-0676. Comprehensive information on the disease is also available on the website at www.equilife.co.uk/laminitis-org. ----------------- Information supplied by Liz Higgins, Direct Tel: 020 8933 8383
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