Laminitis – shoeing and treatments Flashcards
Describe the overall progression of laminitis
- Acute laminitis
- P3 rotation
- Founder/sinker
- Chronic laminitis
How are founders/sinkers treated?
Dorsal wall resection – remove the hoof capsule to relieve pressure
Define laminitis
Failure of attachment apparatus between the hoof and distal phalanx
How can you treat acute laminitis
- Remove cause
- Box rest
- Feed
- Pain relief
- Shoe removal?
- Frog pressure
What is the role of farriery in treatment of acute laminitis?
Support hoof capsule
Improve frog pressure: Lilypads – easily applied. Increase pressure on the toe which may become uncomfortable
Raise heel?
How does Styrofoam support help in laminitis management?
Provide instant frog pressure
Provide hoof support
Easily applied
But can increase sole pressure
What is a true rotation of P3?
When P3 is no longer in line with P1 and P2
How should P3 rotation be managed/treated?
Trim hoof carefully
Remove heel?
Fit heart bar shoe
Check regularly
What is a founder?
Not so much that the pedal bone has dropped but P3 has lost all of its attachments to the laminae
The horse’s weight is pushing down through the hoof capsule and will appear to show the pedal bone coming through the bottom of the foot
List the clinical signs of founder
Coronary band depression
Possible separation
Serum exudate
Very painful
Describe the technique of a dorsal wall resection
Trim hoof capsule
Apply heart bar shoe
Mark area to be removed
Dremmel or knife?
Sedation not nerve block
‘split sole’
What is chronic laminitis?
Abnormal anatomy – hoof capsule is permanently disfigured and wont grow normally
Lack of function
What is key for management of chronic laminitis?
Regular farriery
Good foot balance important
Describe the technique used by farriers to manage chronic laminitis
Dynamic assessment
Trim frog to margins
Remove excess sole
Lower heels
Rasp toe
Reassess
What are the positives of glue on shoes?
Less trauma
Easy fitting
Anti-concussive
