This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Founder & Laminitis » Founder & Laminitis an Overview »
  Discussion on Laminitis?
Author Message
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 11:40 pm:

I was grooming my horse yesterday and was feeling his back legs. I think I found his digital pulse (not really sure where I should feel for it) and I could feel the pulse rather easily. Neither his front or back hooves are abnormally warm. I felt his front legs and may have found the same area, but could barely feel the pulse. I don't think he has any other symptoms. Should I be concerned that it could an early stage? He is on spring pasture (as far as I know, this is the first time on spring pasture in the last 4-5 years. He moved to his current barn last summer when the grass was in lesser condition.) He gets a small amount of grain (1/4 lb or less) twice a day with supplements (Grand Vite, cosequin, aspirin) and a flake of hay at night.

Thanks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 8:36 am:

Not being able to see the horse myself Nadia, I cannot tell if there is something to be concerned about but if the only thing is that you might be detecting a pulse and the horse is fine in all other ways, it does not sound like a big deal. If you remain uncertain you should contact your vet to look.
DrO
Member:
Savanah

Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 2:20 pm:

I am also curious about the pulse issue. If you can feel pulses but there is no sign of lameness or heat, does that mean the pulses can be ignored? I have a horse that had laminitis almost 2 years ago (bad reaction to vaccination) and was lame for 8 months but has recovered fully. She started having pulses this spring after her vaccinations but is not lame at all. I have pulled her off all grass but the pulses remain anyway. If I give her a gram of Bute the pulses go away. My vet took blood and says she has low circulating thyroid, but I have resisted starting her on Thyro-L because of what I have read on this forum about it being way overprescribed. Could low thyroid be causing her to have these pulses? Should I worry about them?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 7:25 am:

Hello All,
You can feel the pulse of sound healthy horses and the strength of this pulse varies quiet a bit during the day in response to dozens of factors. On the other hand there is no doubt inflammatory and vascular disorders of the foot cause the pulse to strengthen.

So the question becomes when is a strong pulse a sign to worry? If there is no other sign of disease or history to indicate that you might be expecting a problem (grain overload, running wildly on pavement barefoot, foundering in the past from vaccine reactions) pulse strength is very to be a first sign of founder. If there is a clear history that might predict problems you ignore the pulse at your own risk.
DrO
New Member:
Standxme

Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 8:29 pm:

My horse was diagnoised with chronic laminitis. What do you suggest in terms of a modified feed schedule? Vet says no alfalfa flakes or alfalfa cubes, no grain. Her diet here forward will be timothy hay and a little rice bran. I am concerned about her body condition as well as preventing further damage to her laminae. Any suppliments you would suggest?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 7:49 am:

Hello Robyn,
Specific recommendations would turn on the specfic cause of your chronic laminitis and the findings of a physical exam. We cover the differential causes and their specific treatment and management at, Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Founder & Laminitis » Founder & Laminitis an Overview.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC