Risk Factors for Laminitis

By the Mother Earth News editors

Moderate and severe cases
Pounding pulses above feet
Sole of foot painful to hoof testers
Evidence of irregular hoof growth rings (previous laminitis)
Heat felt at coronary band

Severe cases
Unwilling to stand
Loss of appetite
Separation of hoof wall from sole of foot
Rotation of toe bone (P3) seen on X-rays

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR LAMINITIS
Immediate treatment
Exercise ten minutes out of every hour
Sand stall
Stomach lavage and/or mineral oil treatment (within several hours)

Ongoing treatment
Sand stall
Medications:
NSAIDS (Banamine or phenylbutazone)
Blood vessel dilators (acepromazine, isoxyprine or nitroglycerine)
Anticoagulants (Heparin or Aspirin)
Gastrointestinal protectants (Cimetidine, Ranitidine or Misoprostol)

Long-term treatment for severe cases
Corrective trimming or shoeing
Salvage surgery (deep digital flexor tenectomy)
Euthanasia

Risk Factors for Laminitis

Grain overload
Sudden change to lush, green pastures
Working on hard surfaces
Consumption of large quantities of very cold water
Ingestion of black walnut shavings or beet tops
High or prolonged doses of anti-inflammatory medications

SIGNS OF LAMINITIS
 Mild, moderate and severe cases
Sawhorse stance
Shifting from foot to foot
Reluctance to move