According to the AAEP website, the first study of The Laminitis Research Project which is designed to use data collected from naturally occurring cases of pasture and endocrinopathy-associated laminitis (PEAL) in horses is well underway and is scheduled to end late 2013.
Using data from naturally occurring cases of laminitis
The Laminitis Project is designed to identify risk factors for laminitis that will provide information to guide research into the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of new cases of laminitis.
The study is supported by the AAEP Foundation and Prascend® (pergolide mesylate), manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
The objective of this project is to identify risk factors for laminitis that will provide critical information needed to guide research studies of the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of new cases of laminitis.
The goal is to provide new knowledge which will help owners and veterinarians both prevent and manage laminitis.
The unique design of the study utilizes collaboration of hundreds of AAEP members, horse-owners, and caretakers to collect data using scientifically sound methods. The data will be analyzed to identify risk factors for laminitis.
Because these are prospectively designed studies of naturally occurring cases of disease, they have the advantage of not causing any undue suffering in research horses while capturing the true nature of laminitis and predisposing factors.
Furthermore, everyone – the backyard horse-owners, professional trainers, farm managers, farriers, solo practitioners, veterinary hospitals, and academic research institutions – can help with these studies, either by participating or by supporting the fundraising campaign.
Recently some changes were made in the way the study is being conducted. Based on practitioner feedback, the study defintions now allow any new case of laminitis that is evaluated within 4 weeks of the onset of clinical signs to be included in the study.
These new cases of laminitis do not include those caused by sepsis, non-weight bearing, or excessive grain overload. The study welcomes cases that occur for unknown reasons, have had recent corticosteroid administration or pasture exposure, or a presumed or confirmed endocrinopathy.
The aim of the study is to collect data from first-time cases of pasture and endocrinopathy-associated laminitis (PEAL) in horses.seen by private practitioners throughout the country with the goal of identifying risk factors associated with the development of this form of the disease.
The results of this study will identify strategies for managing or preventing PEAL and prioritize the direction of further laminitis research.