In 2011, a laminitis study was launched with initial funding from the AAEP Foundation. In response to the call from veterinarians, this massive research project set the stage for new efforts to shed light on laminitis and the results of this project would guide the long-term objective to develop strategies for control and prevention of the forms of laminitis being studied.
The study was designed by equine veterinarians to be a case control, prospective study and promised to provide both a critical baseline and catalyst for the future with identification of risk factors for laminitis to guide research studies of the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of new cases of laminitis.
Further details regarding this $1 million campaign to fund veterinary laminitis research in horses was recently unveiled by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
In fact, a donation of $200,000 to support a case-control study of pasture or endocrinopathy laminitis was received by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. The case-control study is already underway, AAEP reports, under the direction of Dr. Noah Cohen at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
This study kicks off a new collaboration through the Laminitis Research Project aimed at working with equine researchers, AAEP members and horse owners to build a "foundation for future laminitis research."
AAEP calls laminitis one of the most frustrating and devastating diseases confronted by equine practitioners. "This project is in response to AAEP members prioritizing laminitis as the most important disease requiring research," explains C. Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS.
"Veterinarians and horse owners are encouraged to join the effort to eradicate laminitis through their active involvement with the Laminitis Research Project.
Horses that are diagnosed with laminitis and have not yet received treatment may be submitted for these case-based studies," AAEP says. "Horse owners and veterinarians can also choose to help through fundraising at their equine facility, home business or veterinary practice."