Treatment For Acute Laminitis
Hoof care prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot.
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. 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. A variety of medications to treat the acute and refractory forms have been used with a variable degree of success. 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.
Treatment will depend on specific circumstances but may include the following. Acute laminitis is in its acute phase during the first two or three days and at this point the coffin bone is unmoved. Stop feeding all grain based feeds and pasture. They include dimethyl sulfoxide dmso acepromazine aspirin flunixin meglumine heparin isoxsuprine and warfarin.
Recommended treatments include intravenous fluids parenteral antimicrobials flunixin meglumine and hyperimmune serum or plasma. How to manage horses during an acute laminitis episode. An affected horse may refuse to stand and have increased breathing and pulse rates in response to pain. Treatments may include dietary modifications antibiotics fluid therapy or a variety of anti inflammatory medications.
Jane manfredi and. Make sure it s impossible. Acute laminitis occurs anywhere from 24 72 hours after the initial damage to the basement membrane and causes considerable pain. Controlling pain and inflammation in acute laminitis icing the feet is often advocated.
Feed only grass hay until advised by your veterinarian. Additional laminitis preventative measures include the administration of anti inflammatory drugs vasodilator heparin oral aspirin and placement of the horse in the stall. If your horse does eat too much sweet feed usually over 25 lbs or so keep a close eye on him. I ve seen horses open doors open the lid to the feed bin and perform miracle acts to get at that sweet feed.
Some cases need trimming of the hoof.