Guide To Laminitis

Laminitis is a condition that affects the feet of horses and donkeys. This can be an extremely painful condition for an animal to endure and is considered a medical emergency. This is why equine owners need to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available. We will be explaining all of this in more detail in our guide to laminitis.
What is laminitis? 
Let’s start by explaining exactly what the condition is. Laminitis occurs when the laminae - the underlying sensitive inner layer of the hoof wall - starts to become inflamed. The laminae connect the hoof wall to the pedal bone in the hoof and this inflammation results in the breakdown of the pedal bone. This bone is the main bone in the hoof and therefore extremely important. The laminae’s purpose is to support the weight of the pedal bone and therefore the weight of the animal. Therefore, in some cases, the sinking can be so extreme, that the pedal bone can come out of the bottom of the hoof.  
What are the signs of laminitis?
Due to the severity of the condition, it is important for owners to understand the signs of the condition, so that they can contact their equine veterinarian as soon as the first signs are spotted. Signs of laminitis include the following: 

• Moving their bodies backward to shift the weight from the limbs that are painful. Laminitis usually affects two or more limbs which is why this movement is noticeable 
• Lying down a lot- again due to taking weight off the affected limbs 
• High temperature 
• Reluctant to turn  
• Unwilling to pick up feet 
• “footy” action when they stride. This is when their stride is shortened 

What causes laminitis? 
There are several known causes of the condition which are:

1. Overloading a leg with weight due to an injury of the opposite leg such as a fracture  

1. Hormonal causes such as Cushing’s disease or equine Metabolic Syndrome  

1. Sepsis or blood poisoning 

1. Stress  

1. Obesity  

How is laminitis diagnosed? 
If any of the symptoms we discussed earlier are spotted, the owner must get in touch with their vet immediately. The vet will use the symptoms as well as a study of the horse’s medical history to help determine whether laminitis is present. Radiographs can also be used to assess how much the pedal bone has rotated and sunk to determine the severity of the condition.  
What is the treatment for laminitis? 
Several forms of treatment may be prescribed by the vet. These include: 

• Treating the underlying cause - as we discussed above, there are certain diseases that can increase the chances of laminitis occurring such as Cushing’s disease or EMS. Treating these conditions can help make tackling laminitis easier. 
• Pain relief - Laminitis is painful and therefore non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are often prescribed to help with the pain. Other medication may also be given depending on the individual case.
• Support - in many cases, support will need to be provided. In some cases, this will involve the horse wearing specially created clogs made from putty or styrofoam or remedial shoes to provide ongoing cushioning and support. 
• Box rest - horses will need box rest to avoid any further damage or additional pain. Exercise and turnout will need to be re-introduced gradually as advised by the vet or veterinary physiotherapist. 
• Cold water - cold water treatment and application of ice on the horse’s feet can help control the inflammation.
• Dietary changes - a specific low-calorie diet may have to be assigned.

Unfortunately, laminitis can often be a reoccurring problem. If it occurs regularly, in some cases it can lead to the horse having to be euthanised as it would be inhumane to continue the horse’s suffering. 
Can laminitis be prevented? 
The chance of laminitis can be reduced by doing the following: 

• Ensure a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight  
• Trim toes regularly to promote good foot balance 
• Restrict grass intake  
• Have a farrier attend to the horse regularly 
• Ensure the horse is wormed regularly  

Whilst some cases of laminitis can be prevented and treated, the severe cases are often irreversible which makes it important for owners to be aware of the condition. Laminitis can be painful and debilitating. Therefore, horse owners should understand the signs of the condition and take steps to prevent the condition from reoccurring or leading to permanent damage.