Last year, Boehringer Ingelheim's 'Talk About Laminitis' disease awareness initiative saw over 9000 horses and ponies tested for Equine Cushing's Disease (PPID) through its free ACTH test plan.
Preventing laminitis in horses
Last year, Boehringer Ingelheim's 'Talk About Laminitis' disease awareness initiative saw over 9000 horses and ponies tested for Equine Cushing's disease through its free ACTH test scheme.
'Talk About Laminitis', which is backed by Redwings, The British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare, will run from mid March until the end of June, and Boehringer Ingelheim is again urging British veterinary surgeons to carry out free ACTH blood tests* on laminitic or foot-sore horses.
We are learning so much from these tests," comments Professor Andy Durham from the Liphook Equine Hospital, where the ACTH tests are performed. "For example, we are now recognising PPID routinely in laminitic horses and ponies as young as 10 years old, and in the spring when we might expect to see more EMS cases, where veterinary surgeons have also tested for PPID we are seeing both abnormally elevated ACTH and insulin.
Unless the PPID is addressed, horses will continue to be at risk of painful recurrent laminitic episodes which is a significant welfare issue to the horse and extremely frustrating for owners."
Laminitis is a vascular and metabolic disease associated with a breakdown within the laminae which secure the coffin bone/distal phalanx to the hoof wall. Inflammation interferes with the wall and bone bond. Laminitis begins when bacterial endotoxins and lactic acid are released into the bloodstream.
Preventing laminitis is accomplished through proper horse management, with consistent practices as to feeding, routines, disease prevention, and good health care.
Avoiding feeding excesses, making sure the horse is kept at a reasonable weight, and limiting time in pastures during exceptionally lush growth will help prevent the development of laminitis. Horses should have unlimited access to fresh, clean water, except immediately after exercise when the amount and temperature should be regulated.
When making changes to routines and amount of exercise, go slowly and progressively. Avoid excessive concussion to feet and work-outs on rocky, hard, uneven terrain.
Illnesses, digestive upsets, and primary foot diseases should be addressed immediately before complications can occur that might lead to secondary illnesses or conditions, such as laminitis.
Above all, proper care by a veterinarian is necessary for controlling cases of laminitis.