Care of the Laminitic Horse/Pony After Onset
Keep feeding a minimum of 2 ½% bodyweight, even if the horse is obese and dieting recommended. Starvation diets are detrimental to the welfare of the horse. Such drastic dieting can lead to the stored fat reserves of the animal being broken down and released into the blood stream as liquid fat. When this happens it is often fatal. Do feed a broad spectrum mineral supplement such as "Farrier's Formula", "Nu-foot", "Naf Hoof and Hide" or similar. It has been proven that in order for the animals body to overcome the toxins released into its system and repair the damaged tissues it needs a carefully balanced diet that can provide all the necessary micronutrients. These include Biotin, Methionine, Proline, Zinc, Copper, Iodine, Glycine, Tyrosine, Lecithin and Vitamin C as the primary elements. The use of just one or two of these components on their own is not enough. A combination is required in order to allow the animal to absorb them into its system.
Avoid the use of Bran unless needed as a laxative as instructed by your Vet. It is high in Phosphorous and blocks absorption of Calcium in the small intestine. This in turn creates a systemic calcium deficiency which is detrimental to hoof health.
Avoid all cereal and pulse products. They are high in Carbohydrates. Keep to high fibre forage products such as previous years hay, wheat straw, alfalfa and un-molassed sugar beet pulp.
Do try to provide a stable or turn-out area (with shelter) large enough and deeply bedded enough for the animal to turn around easily - a depth of 18" minimum should be used, with very deep beds of peat or shavings being the best medium. Turning in a confined space and/or walking on a hard surface will be painful and in some cases impossible for the animal involved.
Do provide access to salt in either block form or fed loose and an iodised mineral block whilst the horse is confined.
Watch the horse closely for signs of colic. Stress, sudden change of management, inability to reach food or water sources at low level and long term/high dosage use of anti-inflammatories can cause this to occur.
Watch for signs of sores developing in animals that lie down for long periods of time - at the elbows and hocks in particular.
Keep checking all of the horse’s feet, not just those diagnosed, for signs of increased digital pulse. Laminitis can affect more than one foot and the increased pressure being placed on the other feet could cause trauma induced laminitis to occur in these too.
Don't prescribe or alter the level of anti-inflammatories such as Bute without seeking Veterinary advice first. Don't mix other drugs or herbal remedies with prescribed drugs without seeking Veterinary advice first.
Don't use corticosteroids or any item containing them such as sweet itch products. They could kill the horse.Don't force walk the animal. This may cause the already compromised laminae to tear further, resulting in founder and sinking.
Don't allow the animal access to grazing until instructed to do so by your Vet. |