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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
    
Location: Georgia |
To make a long story short, my 20 year old gelding (who is very special to my family) has been on/off lame for a few months. We first thought it was just a strain of abcesses but after no blowouts we decided a vet visit was necessary. After x-rays it was concluded that he is on the verge of laminitis. No rotation as of now but the biggest issue is the depth of his sole - which is extremely thin. Also, they diagnosed him with pedal osteitis and coffin bone fractures. This is a BIG horse. They weighed him out at 1350 lbs on the scale and yes, he could stand to lose some weight. Per the vet, he is to be removed from pasture during the day (stalled), put on a very serious diet, only fed water soaked hay, no more grain, and immediately put in soft rides. The vet would also like me to hand walk him for an hour every day to get him moving. My biggest problem is pulling the weight off of him. He has always been an easy keeper. The vet believes he may have Equine Metabolic Disorder, which I know nothing about. Has anybody ever delt with that? Also are there any supplements I can use to grow more sole? I will be speaking with my farrier in depth about all of this and we will make a plan.
I would like to know your experiences with laminitis and what I can do to get him back to a somewhat normal lifestyle as quick as possible. I've owned this horse for 15 years and he doesnt owe me anything else. The most important thing to me is that this horse is happy and healthy.
Edited by Runninbay 2015-08-27 12:02 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Took one in yesterday for laminitis issues. He has mild rotation on the front right, no rotation on the left. They are putting him in 3degree wedge pads, giving him Osphos, and coffin injections. Same as yours, no turn out, no grain, bute for 5 days after wedges are on, and minimal exercise(although now that has changed to no exercise due to a heart murmur)
I've been told that it starts in the hind gut. I'd give PREbiotics and probiotics to help balance it out. | |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | Heiro has been a lifesaver for my IR horse who suffers from bouts of laminitis. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| FlyingJT - 2015-08-27 12:12 PM
Took one in yesterday for laminitis issues. He has mild rotation on the front right, no rotation on the left. They are putting him in 3degree wedge pads, giving him Osphos, and coffin injections. Same as yours, no turn out, no grain, bute for 5 days after wedges are on, and minimal exercise(although now that has changed to no exercise due to a heart murmur)
I've been told that it starts in the hind gut. I'd give PREbiotics and probiotics to help balance it out.
I would be getting a second opinion, as everything I have learned about founder or coffin bone rotation, is you need to trim the foot to where the coffin bone is.
If the coffin bone has rotated, the heels need to be dropped not lifted up | |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Go read the post on laminitis on the forum at www.secondvet.com. Here is the link. Hope this helps! I know this is a frustrating battle, but there is hope!!!! https://secondvet.com/index.php/forum/equine | |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| cheryl makofka - 2015-08-27 12:21 PM
FlyingJT - 2015-08-27 12:12 PM
Took one in yesterday for laminitis issues. He has mild rotation on the front right, no rotation on the left. They are putting him in 3degree wedge pads, giving him Osphos, and coffin injections. Same as yours, no turn out, no grain, bute for 5 days after wedges are on, and minimal exercise(although now that has changed to no exercise due to a heart murmur)
I've been told that it starts in the hind gut. I'd give PREbiotics and probiotics to help balance it out.
I would be getting a second opinion, as everything I have learned about founder or coffin bone rotation, is you need to trim the foot to where the coffin bone is.
If the coffin bone has rotated, the heels need to be dropped not lifted up
He's at Oklahoma State, not so sure where else I would take him. I guess Oakridge? I've consulted on the forum that Herbie has linked. Excited to see what Dr. Schell's advise is. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | That is an interesting article on Laminitis referred to above. There are a few other points that I might add beyond inflammation in the hind gut caused by the points made in that article. We have seen the largest percentage of laminitis generated from large bacterial die offs in the hind gut not simply by inflammation, but by rapid changes in PH, or level of acidity. As these bacteria decompose a toxin is formed that is a taken by the blood stream to the laminae where it causes a disruption in circulation. The tissue of the laminae dies from lack of blood flow and eventually breaks the supportive connection of the coffin bone allowing it to rotate downward. There are two common causes of this die off, and the resulting toxin carried by the blood to the feet. Both result in a change of PH in the hind gut. First is a large amount of undigested starch and sugars from more grain based feeds than can be digested higher in the digestive system which ferments in the hind gut. The second is new fresh grass in large amounts. Either one changes the hind gut PH more than the beneficial bacteria can tolerate and starts the digestive upset process. You have all heard about a horse getting into a bag a grain and colicing, or one left out on fresh green pasture in the spring for too long with the same result. If this colic situation is extreme enough, the result can laminitis. Mild cases may not result in rotation, but seem to make a horse more prone to additional episodes that may lead to eventual rotation. One other point, the rotation of the coffin bone is usually not immediate. It take some time for the laminae to break away, and often the rotation may come a month or more after the base cause. Managing this can be done without supplementation, though some may help. In general, limit grain, limit rapid changes in diet to horses that have a history of this problem, and be extra cautious with these horses in the spring with new pasture grass is strong and the horses have not been exposed to it. | |
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Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
This was very informative! Thank you! And thank you guys for the other replies so far. I am honestly learning so much through this process. It's unreal. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
Location: Usually on my horse | I have a pony who has laminitis bad. I use two products on him and they are very minimal cost and most likely has saved him..
I use Chaste Berry and a product called Remission.
I had just gotten him a year ago and he was so lame he didn't want to walk. I had him trimmed properly and through the fall and winter he was fine. This spring as the green grass came up he was in trouble. I talked with my farrier and she reccommended both products, along with keeping his feet trimmed every 4 weeks. It did not take very long (few days) and it was amazing the difference in him. He even lost his winter coat, which he had when I got him in August. I still limited him to pasture for 4 hours a day until a couple of weeks ago. He is now on pasture 24/7 and is having absolutely no problems. I swear by both of these products. Good luck with your guy, Hope all turns out well for him. | |
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