Treatment For Acute Laminitis

Diagnosing and treating the primary problem laminitis is often due to a systemic or general problem elsewhere in the horse s body.

Treatment for acute laminitis.

Correct treatment needs to be administered as soon as possible to prevent any lasting damage to the feet and provide pain relief. Feed only grass hay until advised by your veterinarian. After exercise always ensure that the lameness has not returned and the horse walks out well. A case of acute laminitis in horses may take several days to weeks to respond.

Recommended treatments include intravenous fluids parenteral antimicrobials flunixin meglumine and hyperimmune serum or plasma. If his front two feet are affected he may rock back to remove some of the weight on his front feet. Treatment of laminitis if a horse or pony displays these symptoms it is important to call a vet immediately and follow treatment plans carefully. Figure 7 free lunging on a soft surface is a good way to re introduce exercise after laminitis in horses and ponies with ems.

Consequently treatment regimens for both acute and chronic laminitis generally remain empiric and are based on the past. Additional laminitis preventative measures include the administration of anti inflammatory drugs vasodilator heparin oral aspirin and placement of the horse in the stall. Start exercise after laminitis pain has resolved and the horse no longer needs pain relief. Some cases need trimming of the hoof.

Every horse is different and will show different symptoms and different degrees of pain recognise and investigate any of these signs too many horses go undiagnosed because the early signs of laminitis are not picked up the earlier you recognise the symptoms remove the. A variety of medications to treat the acute and refractory forms have been used with a variable degree of success. If all of his feet are affected he may prefer to lie down. Another option for treatment of chronic laminitis in horses at risk of renal or gi complications is the cox 2 selective nsaid firocoxib.

The aim is to help relieve pressure stabilise and maintain correct foot balance and rehabilitate the foot. Symptoms will change as laminitis progresses from acute to chronic. Laminitis is very painful so initially you will notice your horse is very uncomfortable. Options for pain management and alternative treatment options may be suggested by your vet.

Other options for analgesia include detomidine butorphanol morphine or a constant rate infusion of a cocktail of sedatives and analgesics. They include dimethyl sulfoxide dmso acepromazine aspirin flunixin meglumine heparin isoxsuprine and warfarin. There is no proven or consistent treatment for laminitis o grady said.