b'ENDOCRINOPATHIC LAMINITIS EXPLAINEDCOURTESY TRAVIS BURNS/DR. R. SCOTT PLEASANT[Hoof rings that are wider at the heel and widen-ing of the white line region are signs a horse has or is about to develop laminitis.In other forms of acute and severe lam- in the hoof capsule, such as the growthowner noticed him being a little off initis related to systemic inflammatoryrings, can be evident for months beforeover the course of a few weeks and finally response syndrome (SIRS) that developsan affected horse shows lameness. Thisacknowledged that her various excuses from colitis (inflammation of the colon),delay gives owners the opportunity tofor why this could behard, dry ground; endotoxemia (presence of an endotoxinintervene to control insulin dysfunction.deep snow; uneven terrain; muddid not in the blood), uterine infection, or grainThe objective of therapeutic strategies isadd up. She was unclear as to which front overload, inflammatory cells infiltrate theto prevent stretching and deformation ofleg was lame. Over the course of a week, lamellae. The basement membrane thatthe lamellae that can ultimately lead tohe became worsewalking stiff-legged binds lamellar cells together disinte- painful laminitis. and obviously painful. She said it was dif-grates, and the lamellae quickly fail. ThisNow lets look at two real-life endocri- ficult to pick up a foot for cleaning.does not occur with endocrine laminitis,nopathic laminitis cases to see how theHis veterinary exam pointed to clinical which tends to creep up more slowly, sayshorses veterinarians and owners man- laminitis. He had increased (bound-McGowan. aged them. ing) digital pulses (felt at the back of the Armed with the knowledge thatfetlock) in both front legs. It was painful most laminitis cases are attributable1.A Typical Case of EMS Laminitis for him to turn in a tight circle in either to systemic endocrine disease, we canAn Arabian gelding was actively rid- direction. Recent trimming revealed obvi-implement proactive steps for preventionden until the spring of his 17th year,ous pink areas on his soles, something and treatment. Again, visible changeswhen he suddenly became lame. Hished not had previously. In addition, his body condition score was 7 (on the Hen-neke scale of 1 to 9), which is significantly Innovative Slow Feed Solutions overweight. The veterinarian could not feel the geldings ribs through the overly-Recommended by Veterinarians, Dentists & Nutritionists ing fat layer, his neck had developed a pronounced crest, and he had fat deposits over his shoulders, rump, tailhead, and sheath area. Such fat deposits also gener-ate pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are substances that increase systemic inflammation. He had puffy, swollen areas around his eye orbits, which tend to correspond with PPID.This horse, whose ideal body weight was 900 pounds, was being fed a dispro-portionate diet of 18-20 pounds of grass hay a day, plus beet pulp mash and rice bran supplementation. This would be a hefty diet even for a hard-exercising Slow Feeder Hay Bags, Nets, Enrichment & More 1,000-pound horse.The veterinarian had little doubt this TheHayPillow.com horse was suffering from EMS-related laminitis but was also concerned about 20March 2020The Horse|TheHorse.comEndocrineLaminitis.indd 20 2/4/20 9:18 AM'