[Animal welfare in prevention and therapy of laminitis].

The research article is about how proper management of feeding and housing conditions can prevent and treat laminitis, a non-infectious foot condition in horses, with additional attention paid to the Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), obesity, and other genetic predispositions.

Understanding Laminitis and Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Laminitis is a systemic disease that often leads to a painful foot condition in horses. Although it’s non-infectious, its development and severity can be heavily influenced by various lifestyle conditions such as feeding and housing. One key factor in the occurrence of laminitis is the Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), a condition in horses closely related to metabolic disturbances like insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity. The article points out the suspected role of genetic predisposition in the advancement of EMS and laminitis, where factors like lack of exercise or improper energy intake can exacerbate these.

• Laboratory examinations are critical in diagnosing laminitis and EMS. Insulin, glucose, and ACTH (a hormone controlling the stress response of horses) levels are especially of interest in these examinations.

Prevention and Treatment of Laminitis

Different treatment strategies are available for tackling laminitis, such as pharmacological and orthopaedic strategies. However, managing feeding and housing conditions is highlighted as a crucial preventive measure to avoid the onset of this disease.

• Predisposed horses, such as obese horses, must be identified and treated adequately. Weight reduction stands out as a primary preventive measure in such cases.
• Horses in the acute stage of laminitis should be stabled to minimize movement that may aggravate the condition.
• To prevent pain and further damage, weight redistribution from the most stressed wall of the hoof is required. In cases of severe laminitis that involves displacement of distal phalanx (the terminal bone in the horse’s foot), veterinarians and farriers must work closely, often aided by x-ray diagnostics, to alleviate the condition.

Animal Welfare and Laminitis Management

The article places significant emphasis on ensuring animal welfare in the prevention and treatment of laminitis.

• Treatment often includes the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease pain and inflammation associated with the condition.
• Horses should be fed with hay and supplemented with vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet. The research cautions against a diet made up exclusively of straw and restrictions on feed, as these can cause nutritional imbalances and stress in the animal, worsening health conditions.