Keeping you informed: Laminitis
What is laminitis?
Laminitis is defined as the damage and inflammation of the structures within the hoof that connect the coffin bone (distal phalanx, P3) to the inside of the hoof capsule. This tissue is called laminae. The laminae are folded layers of tissue that when damaged can weaken, leading to the pedal bone sinking or rotating.
There are two forms of laminitis – acute and chronic. Both can have severe consequences and significant welfare implications. However, with proper care and management many horses with laminitis go on to live happy and pain free lives.
Laminitis can also be sub-clinical. This is when there are no visible signs, but low-grade changes occur within the hoof capsule.
What causes laminitis?
The most common cause of laminitis is endocrine (hormone) disease. Some studies suggest up to 90% of laminitis cases are caused by endocrine disease. Examples of endocrine disease include Cushing’s Disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, PPID) and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).
Less common causes include mechanical overload, also known as supporting limb laminitis (SLL), and laminitis associated with inflammatory diseases. Examples of the latter include colic, retained placenta, diarrhoea or anything else that results in high levels of general inflammation throughout the body.
The exact manner in which these triggers cause laminitis is still unknown but the end result is the same, there is failure of adhesion between the laminae and changes to the hoof.
How to recognise the signs
Endocrine diseases are problematic because they have widespread impacts on the whole body. Laminitis is a common clinical sign (see Laminitis information sheet for more details) which can have long term implications. As such, the sooner we can identify and treat endocrine diseases, the better. Some of the most common symptoms of laminitis are:
Sensitivity on hard or stony ground (often known as ‘footiness’).
Lameness, most commonly affecting two or more limbs but single limb laminitis has been recognised.
‘Sawhorse stance’, where the horse leans back into its heels to take weight off the toe area which is the most painful
Increased digital pulses, sometimes called ‘bounding’
Shifting weight when standing still
Unwillingness to move or unwilling to rise (recumbent)
Recurrent abscesses in the case of subclinical laminitis
First steps you can take
These will depend on the cause of your horse’s laminitis but given most cases are a result of endocrine disease this is where we will focus. The first step is to call your vet and make us aware so we can advise and plan to visit if needed. Second, we need to focus on making your horse comfortable, bring them into box rest with a deep bed that fills your whole stable. It is sensible to provide plenty of water and start soaking hay if you haven’t already.
What to expect from your vet
Each case is different, but each will start with a thorough clinical examination. Your vet will check your horse’s vitals, and then begin to examine the hooves. Taking the distal pulses and applying hoof testers is one of the first ways we diagnose laminitis so having clean and dry hooves makes this progress a lot smoother.
Diagnosis is usually made on clinical signs alone but in some cases radiographs may be taken, and blood tests performed if there is suspicion of underlying endocrine disease.
Once a diagnosis has been made, our priority is pain relief, reducing inflammation and supporting the hoof. Both pain relief and reduction of inflammation can be achieved by use of oral and injectable medications. Hoof support can be achieved by directly applying structures to the hoof e.g. dental impression material and bandaging, remedial shoeing, or by the deep bed which presses up into the frog. We will also treat any underlying disease that is identified.
How you can prevent laminitis
Body condition monitoring. Monitoring your horses body condition score (see BCS information sheet) allows you to ensure they are a healthy weight to reduce the chance of them developing Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
Rapid treatment of any inflammatory disease.
Regular health checks. Keeping regular appointments like vaccines, medication checks and dental examinations allows us to also discuss any other issues that may be developing, for example the early warning signs of PPID.
Know your horse’s normal! The better you know your horse and familiarise yourself with how they move, what their hooves look like normally and learn to monitor their digital pulses the more likely you are to pick up any changes before they become serious.
If you have any concerns around Laminitis or would like support from our team in how to take required measurements/checks, please get in touch with our team on office@starlingequinevets.co.uk or 01473 970393.