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  Discussion on Question from Ireland re supplementing foaled mare with laminitis & nerve blocking laminitic hoof
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Posted on Monday, Mar 25, 2002 - 5:04 am:

The mare is a 21 year old T.B. and has just foaled four days ago. She has
>laminitis in one hoof so has not been able to leave the stable for 3 weeks
>because of soreness. She foaled 34 days over her time so the foal was a
>little dismature (as you would expect). The problem is, the mare has not
>the normal full bag of milk (she is pretty sore on her hooves) that she had other years so I was wondering if
>it would be anyway possible to increase the quality of the milk with perhaps
>calcium injections? The mare was on a lower feed ration than any other of
>the broodmares due to her laminitis but we have started to increase the feed
>to increase milk production.
>
>I know that probably the best thing to do would be to foster the foal but if
>we could find another way it would be brilliant as the mare is such an
>excellent mother and it would break her heart to take her foal from her.
>
>Also with regards to the mare's laminitis in her near hoof would there be
>any resolution to her pain such as perhaps blocking the nerve?

Posted on Monday, Mar 25, 2002 - 5:23 am:

Maybe if you relieved her pain a bit she would produce more milk? Have you tried her on bute? What does your vet say?

Posted on Monday, Mar 25, 2002 - 10:56 am:

Hi Heidi

Yes she is on Bute and has been for a while. I think, at this stage we may have to foster the foal.

Thanks for reading my message.

Breda

Posted on Monday, Mar 25, 2002 - 11:09 am:

Hello Breda,
We have an article on this problem at Equine Diseases: Reproductive Diseases: Birthing Problems: Fescue Toxicity and Lactation Failure. Though the article is about fescue toxicity it deals with the treatment of lactation failure from any cause. Unless the diet is deficient in calcium I do not think injections would help though sometimes time alone does.

No blocking the nerves is not a good treatment for founder. Reducing work load on the feet is important treatment and blocking the foot obviously would increase the amount of weight the horse would bear on the foot. We have suggested therapy at, Equine Diseases: Lameness: Foot and Sole Problems: Founder & Laminitis.

Hope these help but if you have questions let me know.

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 27, 2002 - 9:13 am:

Thank you for your reply Dr Oglesby. I am the go between for my sister, Laura, who has not got access to the internet at the moment. I printed out your reply and also the discussion on founder & cushings disease and in return she would like to update you and anyone else interested on the 21 year old mare. This is what she says:

Hi everyone - Update on 21 year old mare with week old foal at foot. The foal took ill (colic symptoms) on Sat at 3 days. Mare & foal rushed to Troytown Equine Hospital where foal displayed no symptoms for 2 hours approx. - was scanned, bloods taken & WBC count a very poor 1.4. This foal had ample colostrum. Scan clear but 8 hours later fluid in abdomen. A sample was removed via needle & sent to the Irish Equine Centre. Foal improved for 2 days W.B.C. count going towards norm etc. This morning at 6 days foal slowing down and bellly more extended. Operated on at 1.30 pm & no tear, rupture or perforation was found in either stomach, intestine or bladder but more nasty fluid in abdomen. W.B.C. count now 17 (normal immune response). Vets undecided as to put foal down but decided to give it another 12 hours. Awaiting news!

Also awaiting news on mare - if can't be got comfortable will be put down. I really don't feel cushings disease is in any way the cause of this mare's laminitis as her history is acute laminitis. Six years ago post foaling - placenta complete & out in 1 hr 20 mins (so why she got laminitis I don't know) After initial treatment she had oval shaped aluminium shoes on for approx. 18 months. Made a very good recovery until last spring. Was left at stud for nearly 4 months due to unforseen circumstances, was let out on very good spring grass, got terribly fat & foundered. She was already 3 months in foal.

If the foal dies or has to be fostered I think I will have the mare put down as she is in a lot of pain.

I will let you all know what happens and if the foal doesn't survive what the vets find on autopsy.

Thanks Laura
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