Laminitis in horses
Laminitis or acute diffuse pododermatitis results from an inflammation of the podophyllous lamellae that make up the inside of the hoof. Is your horse suffering from this condition? Find out everything you need to know about it in this article.
Description of laminitis
Laminitis or acute diffuse pododermatitis results from inflammation of the podophyllous lamellae that make up the inside of the hoof. The blood circulation vascularizing the podophyllous lamellae is reduced, depriving them of nutrients and oxygen. The connection between the keraphyllous and podophyllous lamellae is then damaged, making the distal phalanx unstable. Sometimes the weight of the horse causes the third phalanx to tilt, which then sinks into the foot, tearing the arteries and veins in its path and, in extreme cases, crossing the sole of the foot.
The term acute laminitis with tilting is used when blood flow is restricted significantly or for a prolonged period. In this case, the anterior surface of the hoof gradually detaches from the rest of the foot. Laminitis with collapse is much rarer, but much more serious. All lamellar attachments are lost, the distal phalanx having collapsed into the hoof.
Origin
Laminitis can have multiple origins, but often occurs following metabolic disorders such as Cushing's syndrome or equine metabolic syndrome. The latter follows a diet that is too rich with excess nitrogen as observed when eating wheat. Indeed, excessive consumption of carbohydrates in the form of starch in concentrated feed (grains) or consumption in spring or at the start of autumn of pasture grass that is too rich, a major source of fructans, complex sugars, as well as circulatory alterations following the administration of corticosteroids can be implicated. Laminitis can also occur following an infection such as a blood rush (myoglobinuria) or following a birth without total expulsion of the placenta. In the latter case, this is called parturition laminitis and this underlines the importance of examining the placenta during foaling and checking its integrity.
Diagnosis
Laminitis is characterized by lameness: the horse appears "stiff", refuses to move and adopts a characteristic posture by engaging its hindquarters as far as possible under the body to transfer the weight of the forequarters (the forequarters are often the only ones affected, at least first) to the hindquarters. When forced to move, the horse seems to "walk on eggs". The feet are also warm and the digital pulse, which can be felt at the level of the digital arteries located just behind the fetlock, shows an increase in its strike. This pulse is then called a bounding pulse.
A hoof depression is also associated and can be felt with the finger. It is limited to the anterior part of the main pad in acute laminitis with tilting and extends all along the main pad to the heels in laminitis with collapse of the third phalanx.
Treatment
If laminitis is suspected, the veterinarian should be called immediately. Ice water foot baths may be beneficial. The animal must be removed from the grass, rich foods eliminated and it must be confined to the box on clean bedding in order to limit movements that can aggravate the lesions of the lamellae by traction of the deep flexor tendon. The treatment of laminitis is based primarily on the administration of NSAIDs to combat pain and inflammation as well as local care. Farriery is also an integral part of the treatment with specific care aimed at relieving the equine and preventing rotation of the distal phalanx. You will find at La Sellerie Française the necessary tools to enable you to deal with this evil.