Treatment For Acute Laminitis

Other options for analgesia include detomidine butorphanol morphine or a constant rate infusion of a cocktail of sedatives and analgesics.

Treatment for acute laminitis.

Options for pain management and alternative treatment options may be suggested by your vet. Consequently treatment regimens for both acute and chronic laminitis generally remain empiric and are based on the past. The aim is to help relieve pressure stabilise and maintain correct foot balance and rehabilitate the foot. They include dimethyl sulfoxide dmso acepromazine aspirin flunixin meglumine heparin isoxsuprine and warfarin.

Figure 7 free lunging on a soft surface is a good way to re introduce exercise after laminitis in horses and ponies with ems. Laminitis is very painful so initially you will notice your horse is very uncomfortable. Feed only grass hay until advised by your veterinarian. Start exercise after laminitis pain has resolved and the horse no longer needs pain relief.

If his front two feet are affected he may rock back to remove some of the weight on his front feet. After exercise always ensure that the lameness has not returned and the horse walks out well. Some cases need trimming of the hoof. Diagnosing and treating the primary problem laminitis is often due to a systemic or general problem elsewhere in the horse s body.

A variety of medications to treat the acute and refractory forms have been used with a variable degree of success. Treatment will depend on specific circumstances but may include the following. Symptoms will change as laminitis progresses from acute to chronic. Stop feeding all grain based feeds and pasture.

There is no proven or consistent treatment for laminitis o grady said. Treatment of laminitis if a horse or pony displays these symptoms it is important to call a vet immediately and follow treatment plans carefully. Additional laminitis preventative measures include the administration of anti inflammatory drugs vasodilator heparin oral aspirin and placement of the horse in the stall. In serious cases of laminitis acute or chronic where the prognosis is poor euthanasia is often recommended to prevent further suffering.

A case of acute laminitis in horses may take several days to weeks to respond. Correct treatment needs to be administered as soon as possible to prevent any lasting damage to the feet and provide pain relief. Another option for treatment of chronic laminitis in horses at risk of renal or gi complications is the cox 2 selective nsaid firocoxib.