| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kharif |
Posted - 10 Aug 2010 : 11:11:36 PM
ARRGGHHHHHHHH, I'm so stressed!!
I have a yearling newforest X TB who recently came down with laminitis. He was lame in his front offside that then went to his rear nearside. Then sore on all four. The vet confirmed laminitis gave him a painkiller and left me to it 
I put him in a small area soft underfoot for around a week and a bit, he was badly lame for around a week of this, the vet then came back and said it was fine for him to be back out grazing again. He seems to be fine, his digital pulse is now stronger but I have noticed that his hoof's have split up near the coronary band. I called the vet but they werent too concerned as he wasnt lame.
I'am, feel like ive been pretty much left too it with a million questons. So these may seem silly but as they say no question is a silly one.......
1. Digital pulse, I can still feel it when I didnt before. Should this be the case, will it always now be more noticable? It this a sign that it is going to flare up again?
2. The splitting of the hoof (I have added pictures) Is this normal? I'm paranoid about rotation ect.
3. Is at the first signs of laminitis the best course of action to remove them from grass?
4. How the hell did he get this in the first place? The grazing is pretty poor, he isnt being fed much, he isnt overweight (pictures added) has had no recent stress or change and hasnt been on hard ground.
5. Is there anything else it could be other than laminitis?.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kirst |
Posted - 24 Aug 2010 : 12:47:20 PM
Yes, I agree with what you have said Pinkyboots. I lost my beloved mare to Lami and never want to go through it again. |
| angel2002 |
Posted - 24 Aug 2010 : 12:44:13 PM
Glad to hear that it wasn't Laminitis Kharif 
Can I ask if you did get a new farrier? |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 24 Aug 2010 : 12:40:23 PM
Kharif I am really glad your youngster didn't have Laminitis, I am sorry if you thought people were being hard, they just understand the seriousness of this awful condition and from my own experience once you have had to deal with Laminitis you never want to go through it again.
I think the vet that came out was wrong to say it was Laminitis and just leave you to it, and then to later find out the diagnosis was wrong, if that were me I would never be able to forgive them putting me through that. |
| kirst |
Posted - 24 Aug 2010 : 09:50:03 AM
That's good (that it wasn't Lami). I have a brilliant farrier and if I suspect anything wrong with my horses feet I get him out before I call the vet - he is great when it comes to absesses etc and he is much cheaper!! |
| Kharif |
Posted - 23 Aug 2010 : 10:56:29 PM
Thanks for asking Kirst, he is fine now. Just keeping an eye on the crack. He didnt have lami, it was an abscess.
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| kirst |
Posted - 19 Aug 2010 : 10:16:10 PM
Just wondering how your youngster is now? |
| peg |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 10:31:44 AM
I'm afraid when I read this post originally I didn't reply because I thought it was a (sick) windup. Really sorry to hear what your poor horse is going through and I guess you should be applauded for getting a vet out. Like everyone else though I was stunned by the 'advice' you have been given. One example from your original post which worried me was that of the digital pulse being 'stronger' (original quote "He seems to be fine, his digital pulse is now stronger but I have noticed that his hoof's have split up near the coronary band. I called the vet but they werent too concerned as he wasnt lame")- in healthy horses the digital pulse should be almost unnoticable.
I don't think anyone was trying to patronise you at all - you stated that you posted this because you wanted advice from others - and that is what they gave you, even when in some cases it meant for respondents having to think back to and relive their own horrendous experiences. I'd say that is really generous.
If you prefer not to take anyone's word for it, something that you might find useful is this site: http://www.laminitisclinic.org. They list a helpline number and you could have a frank conversation with them about your horse and get advice from experts in the field. It costs £1/ minute which I think is extremely good value. I wish your horse a speedy recovery. |
| vjc |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 12:57:37 PM
Nat i remember how you battled with your much loved boy, so sad 
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| NatH |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 12:42:11 PM
Well to answer your question I would think not.
The condition laminitis can be caused by lots of reasons.
Looking at the shape of your boys hoof it looks to me that 'rotation' has occurred at some point.
The reason I sounded so 'desparate' was that seeing the coronet breaking out like that was just what happended to my boy. He has his hoof completed removed on the one side, the Vet & Farrier were hoping to find an abcess. They didn't.
When he has follow up X-rays it showed that the abcess was coming from the pedal bone. An infection had got in some how and the infection attacked the pedal bone rendering it almost transparent on X-ray. Sadly there was nothing more that could be done.
Just seeing that little foot took me all the way back to the worst time of my life. Sorry to sound so dramatic.
All the best with your Farrier and I hope the 3rd Vet that you have contacted understands the horrors of laminitis, certainly in one so young. |
| Kharif |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 12:07:31 PM
I am listening very clearly and I do understand how serious this is. I dont need patronised. The problem is that so many people have a different opinion on the subject and how it should be treated that unless you have experience of it you can only try and follow what you are told. My vet has 30 years horse experiance and I have used the practice for 16 years so I'm confident that they know what they are dealing with.
I have however had a second vet out (yesterday thanks)who has agreed that they are happy with him being turned about after checking him over and going over his case. I am also waiting on a call from a third vet to go over it again.
I have a new farrier booked for Monday morning to get him checked over and shaped.
The question I was asking was that could it be anything other than lami, given the symptoms and timeline. I'm not saying it wasnt lami but I want to check down every avenue. |
| angel2002 |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 09:28:43 AM
Kharif.... You asked for advice, we have all told you the same thing and you do not seem to be listening??
I shall make this as clear as I can for your yearlings sake and yours...
PLEASE GET A SECOND OPINION FROM A DIFFERENT VET PRACTICE TODAY!!!!!! |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 09:25:57 AM
Please Kharif listen to the others on here, it sounds like you caught the Laminitis early but I would still want the feet x rayed so you know what your dealing with, I also have to agree the shape of the hoof is very upright and needs sorting out now before its to late, its easier to correct when there young.
I would use another vet it doesn't sound right to me he should have given acp to increase the blood flow along with the danilon, he should have told you to bring the horse in and put a very deep bed down to cushion the feet.
If he has gone lame after being sound I would not be happy, we are not vets on here so we cant tell you how long the horse should be in for, that's why you need a vet who knows what there doing my horse didn't have any rotation just slight sinking in her feet and she was on box rest for 8 weeks with turnout in the sand school for the last week, and I lost her to colic the week after please don't leave this I would want someone else's opinion.
Edited to say: I would get him off the grass with all this sudden rain the grass sugar levels will be high. lethal for Laminitis. |
| NatH |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 09:10:16 AM
Kharif, I had my Vet out within 1 hour of my boy going 'footy' - 7 months later I had him PTS.
I really don't wish to frighten you to death but Laminitis is a killer, thankfully not in all cases.
If you want proof please read my stallions story on my website.
You really can't act quickly enough with the dreaded 'L' |
| peg |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 08:10:35 AM
I give up. |
| Kharif |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 12:11:38 AM
I have spoken with the vet today and was advised to keep the crack clean and allow it to grow out.
Should every case of laminitis be xrayed? The vet advised that it was caught early enough not to have caused major problems. He has went from being sound to lame and back to sound in around 10 days. How long would it be advised to keep him boxed once the symptoms and lamness cleared up?
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| Cinnypony |
Posted - 12 Aug 2010 : 9:54:51 PM
Again agree - new vet needed quickly, Would rather pee off a vet than lose my horse.
Also think that the hoof looks wrong, maybe as well as a new vet you should consider getting a qualified barefoot trimmer as some of them are very good at assisting with vets if mechanical laminitis or if caused by diet and environment they can help with that too.
Good luck to both of you. |
| angel2002 |
Posted - 12 Aug 2010 : 7:36:40 PM
Hi Kharif
Has your vet been out and seen your yearling yet?? |
| karen d |
Posted - 12 Aug 2010 : 09:31:48 AM
i have to say i have had to re read this post numerous times to make sure i have read it correctly!!!!
As angel 2002 as said i have been battling for the last 4/5 weeks to try and save my horses life from this terrible disease and i am absolutely horrified and appalled by your vets
no equine vet in their right mind, if laminitis is suspected, would not have a horse in on a deep bed with frog supports and x rays to see what is going on.
you said the vet suspected laminitis in all four feet, gave you a pain killer and left you to it!!!!!!!!!!! then after a week, said it was ok for a suspected laminitis case to be grazing on grass again!!!!
are these people for real!!!!! if that was my vet, i would have shot him by now. im sorry if i sound harsh, but good god, get PROPER experts to see to your poor horse ASAP. also agree with the others about you farriers skills too!!!!
please forgive my rantings but i am extreemely worried about my boy, and extreemely tired, and to come on here and see a post like this horrifies and saddens me |
| angel2002 |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 10:02:30 PM
Please don't think me rude but I wouldn't be impressed with my farrier if my horses feet looked like this... Especially on a yearling.
I hope you get this sorted out sooner rather than later. Personally I would not have him out until he has been seen by a competant vet, my friends horse wasn't lame either, as I said he had none of the usual signs of laminitis and look what has happened to him
Again, all crossed for you x
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| Kharif |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 9:53:47 PM
Hi all,thatnks for the replies. The worse crack is on the foot that he wasnt as sore on to begin with. I had a good scrub about tonight and there is a small puncture on the side with the little crack down the hoof wall on the outside. I'm going to get my farrier out asap to get his opinion. I'm guessing there was some kind of abscess that started it off? He was on 2 danalon a day which was reduced down.
He is on safe and sound, my concern is that he isnt getting enough now with still growing.
I have had him since weaning and this is the first time he has had any issues.
I have an equine vet with a good rep, my usual vet was on holiday so the partner was the one that attended. I have spoken to who I usually deal with today and have sent some pictures across to him.
Can I add that he is no longer lame, I wouldnt have him out if he was still hobbling about, he was never shuffling about even at his worst.He is standing fine, with even weight on all 4 feet and back to his normal self. When I left tonight he was dancing about on his back feet showing off.
It's just totally stumped me. |
| angel2002 |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 9:40:52 PM
Hi Kharif
I was thinking the same as xsara, the shape of the hoof/foot does not look good and I would suspect that this isn't the 1st time this little man has had a problem. From what I see I would say he is rather well covered for a yearling (photo of his rear) can I ask what you are feeding him?
My advice is to get him out of that muddy paddock and into a stable on a thick bed of shavings.
I would be calling a different vet in the local area and if there wasn't one I would be demanding a second opinion/referral to my nearest vet hospital as a metter of urgency and I mean like yesterday!!
A very very good friend of mine is going through hell at the moment with her 9yr old boy who has just been diagnosed with sugar intolerance induced laminitis, he had none of the usual signs of this condition and it was not caused by anything she was doing, his pedal bone has rotated and fingers crossed it has not moved any further over the last couple of weeks, to her each day he is here is a bonus at the moment so please make that call URGENTLY!!
I will cross my fingers for you and please keep us updated xx |
| xsara |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 9:16:11 PM
If he was lame on the one foot was it the one with the crack as if it is could have been an abcess and the stress of it and the extra support on the other three legs trying to keep weight of the bad foot would be enough to give a horse laminitis. I would also like to ask how long have you had him as i would not be totally happy with the shape of the foot you have posted pictures of it shows a typical lamintic foot as the heels are high the foot is boxy and it has the curve from the cornorea band like the slipper effect lamintis causes and just wondering if he has had it before |
| kirst |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 8:40:01 PM
My fingers are crossed for your youngster too. |
| Callisto |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 7:25:54 PM
Just to echo everyone else, please change your vet to a specialist equine vet with a good reputation. We lost our beloved homebred boy to laminitis at the premature age of 12 due to an incompetent vet, by the time we realized he didn't know what he was doing and got a second opinion it was too late. I will never make the mistake of blindly trusting a vet again. My fingers are firmly crossed for your youngster. |
| pintoarabian |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 5:13:50 PM
Our filly was also on a sachet of Danilon twice a day initially and gradually reducing. The remedial farrier was also called by the vet to work in tandem with him but she was so bad initially that he could do nothing because the separation at the coronary band was so great and there was also the danger of the pedal bones coming through her soles. We had to make self-hardening putty slippers and vet wrap them on, literally to stop her front hooves falling off. We also had to put ice cubes in a plastic bag and then in a sock bandaged to her pasterns every two hours initially, until I had the idea of filling long, curved balloons with water and freezing them. That gave us about 8 hours. She was in a more critical condition than your yearling at the time but the last thing you want is for yours to get a setback. Everything was thrown at her to bring her back from the brink and it worked. To see her gallop about the field now fills my heart with joy because no-one ever expected her recovery to be so full. Even the farrier who treated her says her feet are excellent and show no trace of laminitis whatsoever. We owe it all to the vet from a different practice because I had the courage to demand it. On the positive side, younger horses tend to make better recoveries because new growth is a normal part of their development and they are lighter thus not bearing as much weight on their feet. When our filly turned the corner the rate of growth in her feet was phenomenal and the hoof was harder than normal. |
