Treatment For Acute Laminitis

Hoof care prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot.

Treatment for acute laminitis.

Many of the clinical signs are clearly apparent when the laminitis is acute subacute this refers to cases of laminitis that have extended to more than three days in length but the coffin bone is still unmoved. Acute laminitis occurs anywhere from 24 72 hours after the initial damage to the basement membrane and causes considerable pain. Treatment will depend on specific circumstances but may include the following. Recommended treatments include intravenous fluids parenteral antimicrobials flunixin meglumine and hyperimmune serum or plasma.

Some cases need trimming of the hoof. Additional laminitis preventative measures include the administration of anti inflammatory drugs vasodilator heparin oral aspirin and placement of the horse in the stall. Diagnosing and treating the primary problem laminitis is often due to a systemic or general problem elsewhere in the horse s body. Stop feeding all grain based feeds and pasture.

A variety of medications to treat the acute and refractory forms have been used with a variable degree of success. An acute laminitic episode is an emergency. Jane manfredi and. If your horse does eat too much sweet feed usually over 25 lbs or so keep a close eye on him.

Treatments may include dietary modifications antibiotics fluid therapy or a variety of anti inflammatory medications. They include dimethyl sulfoxide dmso acepromazine aspirin flunixin meglumine heparin isoxsuprine and warfarin. Acute laminitis is in its acute phase during the first two or three days and at this point the coffin bone is unmoved. How to manage horses during an acute laminitis episode.

Feed only grass hay until advised by your veterinarian. The easiest and surest way is to lock up your sweet feed behind a door with a lock. A case of acute laminitis in horses may take several days to weeks to respond. Make sure it s impossible.

Consequently treatment regimens for both acute and chronic laminitis generally remain empiric and are based on the past experience of the attending clinician all treatments should however.