Castration and other factors affecting the risk of equine laminitis.
Abstract: The characteristics of a series of equine laminitis cases were compared with that of other Equidae examined at the University of Missouri Veterinary Hospital and Clinic during May, 1965 through December, 1971. The model age for ponies with laminitis was 7-9 years and for all other cases the model age was 4-6 years. Also the predominant age for mares was 4-6 years and for males was 7-9 years. After controlling for age and breed differences, there were significantly fewer castrated males among the affected males than expected (P small than 0.02), indicating that hormonal factors may play a role in laminitis. Ponies had a significantly greater risk of laminitis (P smaller than 0.001) and their relative risk was 4.3 times greater than all other Equidae combined. There were more laminitis cases diagnosed during May than during other months.
Publication Date: 1975-01-01 PubMed ID: 1112097
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates factors affecting the risk of equine laminitis, a painful and crippling disease affecting horses. The research found correlations between the occurrence of laminitis, horse age, breed, and castration, suggesting hormonal factors could play a role in this condition.
Study Objectives and Methodology
- This study aimed to identify and compare the characteristics of equine laminitis cases with other horses examined at the University of Missouri Veterinary Hospital and Clinic from May 1965 through December 1971.
- The researchers focused on the differences in age, breed, and hormonal changes brought about by castration to determine potential risk factors for equine laminitis.
Key Findings
- The study shows a correlation between age and laminitis, with the model age for ponies with laminitis being 7-9 years, while for all other examined cases the model age was 4-6 years.
- It found that hormonal factors may play a role in the development of laminitis, as supported by the finding that there were significantly fewer castrated males among the affected males than expected.
- The research also indicated that the risk of laminitis was significantly higher for ponies, as their relative risk was found to be 4.3 times greater than all other breeds of Equidae combined.
- The study further revealed a seasonal aspect to laminitis, with more cases diagnosed in May than other months.
Implication and Potential Application of the Study
- The findings of this study provide important insights for equine health management on the risk factors associated with laminitis. Knowing that age, breed, and hormonal factors can influence the likeliness of an incidence, horse owners and veterinarians can apply preventive strategies more effectively.
- The data suggesting that hormonal factors potentially play a role in laminitis paves the way for further research on how castration and other hormonal alterations can influence the risk of laminitis in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Dorn CR, Garner HE, Coffman JR, Hahn AW, Tritschler LG.
(1975).
Castration and other factors affecting the risk of equine laminitis.
Cornell Vet, 65(1), 57-64.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Breeding
- Castration / veterinary
- Female
- Foot Diseases / epidemiology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Male
- Seasons
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Aoun R, Charles I, DeRouen A, Takawira C, Lopez MJ. Shoe configuration effects on third phalanx and capsule motion of unaffected and laminitic equine hooves in-situ. PLoS One 2023;18(5):e0285475.
- Pollard D, Wylie CE, Verheyen KLP, Newton JR. Identification of modifiable factors associated with owner-reported equine laminitis in Britain using a web-based cohort study approach. BMC Vet Res 2019 Feb 12;15(1):59.
- Coffman JR, Colles CM. Insulin tolerance in laminitic ponies. Can J Comp Med 1983 Jul;47(3):347-51.
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