The earlier a veterinarian can intervene and begin treatment in a laminitic horse, the greater chances of success, which in many cases means saving the horse’s life. | Photo: Courtesy Travis Burns/Dr. R. Scott Pleasant

Inciting causes of laminitis include dystocia (difficult birth), placentitis (inflammation of the placenta), colitis (of the colon), grain overload, septicemia (infection in the bloodstream), and contralateral (occurring on opposite sides) limb lameness. And, said one equine podiatrist, the earlier a veterinarian can intervene and begin treatment, the greater chances of success, which in many cases means saving the horse’s life.

“Chronic laminitis is defined in the literature as those cases ranging from 72 hours to several weeks after the onset of pain,” said Sammy Pittman, DVM, of Innovative Equine Podiatry and Veterinary Services, in Collinsville, Texas, at the 2018 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in San Francisco, California.

Regardless of why a horse develops laminitis, the end result is essentially the same: the lamellae, which anchor the coffin bone to the inner hoof wall, fail. When this occurs, farriers and veterinarians must focus their efforts on the mechanical component of treatment