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  Discussion on Laminitis & Founder
Author Message
New Member:
Johnsonl

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004 - 11:14 am:

I would very much appreciate some veternarian, and member experiences, advice of my 15 year old (going on 5!) TB-cross, Buckeye. I am distraught and confused over what I can best do for him right now. He was stiff at the walk and wanting to put his left front foot down when I cleaned it, starting about 5 or 6 months ago. It only I'd known about these signs of laminits at the time! My farrier, Gary, said at first that his feet looked fine and that he may have had some hoof concussion, so he trimmed him a bit closer, said to rest him a few days and ride him again (Buckeye did not try taking his foot back from Gary, but I think our horses may fear the farriers and vets more, so they act differently). Well, he was moving the same and then began "chopping up" at the canter in the arena, switching leads whereas he'd always been smooth as silk. I know SOMETHING was wrong because we know our horses. 5 weeks later at Gary's next visit he saw the laminitis. I was devastated. He put on Lily pads and shoes in the front. Buckeye had no elevated digital pulse or heat. I began giving him small amounts of Bute, although he never did seem to be in pain. 5 weeks later at Gary's next visit I made sure to have the vet there so he could look at the bottom of his feet and take x-rays. He had a blood bruise now, but no abcess. He has an 8 degree rotation in his left front, and a 12 degree in the right. Gary is coming tomorrow to pull his shoes again and trim him. I'm hoping he's stabilized in his rotation, but who knows? He never went through an acute phase, never limped (just stiff at walk), never had an elevated pulse. I've owned him for 6 years, and haven't done anything different with him in terms of care/feed/riding; he always had the strongest hooves at the barn so I'm baffled at the cause...doesn't seem to be one. My question is I'm wondering if it's okay for him to break into a trot or a small canter in pasture? I kept him in for about 4 weeks (he has a private 100 ft. run that opens off his stall that has a rubber mat and shavings), then turned him out with his buddies. He missed being with them and I know stress isn't good for him. I asked the vet if he could further damage himself by his pasture activites. He said some circulation was good and Buckeye likely wouldn't do it if it hurt, but some horses push through pain so just make sure the running around wasn't excessive. So I both take heart when I see him pick up a trot/canter, and cringe at the same time wondering if he's doing further damage. The vet recommended more x-rays 6 months from the first time. Gary comes to pull his shoes and trim him tomorrow. I'm hoping his feet won't be worse. He has never limped, looked sick, or seemed like he felt bad, although he was mopey for awhile. All in all, it's been about 5-6 months since I noticed he was off, and 3 1/2 months since he was diagnosed. I'm heartsick but relieved that I don't think I'm going to lose him at this point...wouldn't he have already sunk through? And he wants to run around now. Also, what are my chances or ever riding him again? We've had so many wonderful trail rides together, and do dressage as well. A lot of questions in here, but it anyone can help me, I'd be so grateful. He's my pride and joy. Thank you! Lori
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 - 8:42 am:

Lori the question is whether he is still foundering or not: is he still off? If he is you should follow our suggestions in the article associated with this forum which includes enforced rest. If not then your current course would be OK. Unfortunately simply measuring rotation is not enough information to know whether the horse can be ridden again though the article provides some rough guidelines based on degrees of rotation.
DrO
Member:
Johnsonl

Posted on Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 - 11:29 am:

DrO, Thank you very much for your reply. The article does give me some hope for riding, but I guess it will be a "wait and see" situation as far as the riding goes, and certainly, at this point, I'm just relieved I've not had to put my good friend down. I'm still baffled as to the turnout though, because through this entire 5-6 month episode, the only way he has been seen as being "off" is that he's stiff-shouldered at the walk. He has never limped or exhibited any symptons of pain at any time. The only reason I gave him Bute for about 3 weeks after he was diagnosed was that I thought an anti-inflammatory might be wise, as did the vet but he said to not keep him on it for long. So after 3 weeks I weaned him off, but as I said he's NOT ONCE exhibited any signs of being "off" except for at the walk. He still walks stiff shouldered although not quite as much, but the vet told me a few weeks ago that he may always moved stiff-shouldered from here on out. So, do you think it's okay to let him out with his friends? As to whether or not he's still foundering...I don't know this because the vet's recommended course of x-rays won't be for another 3 months. My farrier is coming next week (had to reschedule from today) to pull his shoes and pads, and trim him. I guess looking at the bottom of his feet may reveal more information. Would it be possible for him to still be sinking after initial diagnosis almost 3 months ago? Thank you so much for you time and help! Lori
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Aug 27, 2004 - 11:52 am:

You have to learn that this stiff appearance is what the founder looks like. If he is still stiff moving, you still have founder going on and rotation may still be occurring. You should treat accordingly. It is important to try and identify why he is foundering and correct the basic cause, the article helps with this.
DrO
Member:
Johnsonl

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2004 - 9:05 am:

DrO, Thanks very much for your reply. My vet did a complete blood work-up, and all was excellent with Buckeye. Through discussion and tests, he maintains this is one of those founder cases that remains an unsolved mystery. At any rate, I still have a couple of questions if you would be so kind: 1) Do you recommend that I have the next set of x-rays taken sooner than from the six month period of initial diagnosis? 2) Another vet who looked at him early on told me that he will probably always walk differently, i.e., somewhat stiffly for the rest of his life given that rotation has occured, i.e., he will never have his loose, swinging walk again. Is this true? I'm worried because, as you said, I fear that founder may still be occuring too. Thank you very much for your attention to my concerns. I appreciate it! Lori
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 1, 2004 - 7:10 am:

It is not the period of initial diagnosis that determines radiographs but they should be used to monitor change while the horse is uncomfortable. If the degree of rotation is uncertain it is time to take radiographs.

Horses return to a normal gait if the damage is not too severe. Rotation alone does not describe all the important parameters but a range of degrees and their approximate prognostic significance is given in the article on founder.
DrO
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