FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Veterinary medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2014; 6; 39-47; doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S39967

The management of equine acute laminitis.

Abstract: Laminitis is an extremely painful condition resulting in damage to the soft tissues anchoring the third phalanx to the hoof, which can result in life-threatening debilitation. Specific therapy is not available. The most important principles of therapy include aggressive nutritional and medical management of primary disease processes, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatory therapy, pain management, and biomechanical support. This review focuses on the principles of evidenced-based therapies.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-12-22 PubMed ID: 30101095PubMed Central: PMC6067769DOI: 10.2147/VMRR.S39967Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article presents approaches for managing acute laminitis in horses, a painful condition with currently no specific therapy, through nutrition, medical intervention, cryotherapy, pain management, and mechanical support. It particularly emphasizes the importance of practices supported by empirical evidence.

Understanding Equine Laminitis

  • Laminitis is a disease that causes severe pain and damage to the soft tissues that secure the third phalanx (the bone within the horse’s hoof). Without proper management, the disease can lead to debilitating and potentially fatal conditions in horses.
  • Currently, there is no specific treatment for managing this condition, leaving caregivers to operate based on best practices and evidence-based management techniques primarily targeting symptom relief and progression control.

Primary Disease Process Management

  • The first method suggested by the research is the aggressive nutritional and medical management of the primary disease process.
  • This involves diets and medications that alleviate symptoms and control the progression of the disease, focusing on improving the horse’s overall health to help it withstand the disease.

Cryotherapy

  • Another therapy introduced in the paper is cryotherapy – a treatment that uses extremely low temperatures for medical therapy.
  • For horses with laminitis, cryotherapy can reduce inflammation and thus relieve pain, improving the horse’s quality of life and preventing the disease from worsening.

Anti-inflammatory Therapy and Pain Management

  • Given the painful nature of laminitis, it is crucial to prioritize pain management interventions. These include using medications that relieve pain and reduce inflammation associated with the disease.
  • Administering anti-inflammatory medications could slow down the disease’s progression by reducing inflammation in the affected areas.

Biomechanical Support

  • Due to the condition’s impacts on the horse’s hoofs, biomechanical support is important. This involves designing and using devices like specially-built horseshoes to help horses manage their weight and reduce the strain on their hooves, providing them with some degree of relief from pain.
  • This research emphasizes the importance of an evidence-based approach when opting for these therapies, suggesting that decisions should be guided by scientific research and data rather than anecdotal evidence.

Cite This Article

APA
Mitchell CF, Fugler LA, Eades SC. (2014). The management of equine acute laminitis. Vet Med (Auckl), 6, 39-47. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S39967

Publication

Veterinary medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
ISSN: 2230-2034
NlmUniqueID: 101724251
Country: New Zealand
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 39-47

Researcher Affiliations

Mitchell, Colin F
  • Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, seades1@lsu.edu.
Fugler, Lee Ann
  • Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, seades1@lsu.edu.
Eades, Susan C
  • Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, seades1@lsu.edu.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Disclosure Dr Eades and Fugler report receiving grants from the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

References

This article includes 41 references
  1. Reilly PT, Dean EK, Orsini JA. First aid for the laminitic foot: therapeutic and mechanical support.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Aug;26(2):451-8.
    pubmed: 20699187doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.06.004google scholar: lookup
  2. Geor RJ. Pasture-associated laminitis.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2009 Apr;25(1):39-50, v-vi.
    pubmed: 19303549doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2009.01.004google scholar: lookup
  3. Belknap JK, Black SJ. Sepsis-related laminitis.. Equine Vet J 2012 Nov;44(6):738-40.
    pubmed: 23106625doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00668.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  4. Virgin JE, Goodrich LR, Baxter GM, Rao S. Incidence of support limb laminitis in horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts: a retrospective study of 113 horses (2000-2009).. Equine Vet J Suppl 2011 Nov;(40):7-11.
    pubmed: 22082439doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00491.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  5. Obel N. Studies on the Histopathology of Acute Laminitis. Uppsala, Sweden: Almquisst and Wiksells Boktryckeri; 1948.
  6. Baxter GM. Equine laminitis caused by distal displacement of the distal phalanx: 12 cases (1976-1985).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986 Aug 1;189(3):326-9.
    pubmed: 3744996
  7. de Laat MA, McGowan CM, Sillence MN, Pollitt CC. Equine laminitis: induced by 48 h hyperinsulinaemia in Standardbred horses.. Equine Vet J 2010 Mar;42(2):129-35.
    pubmed: 20156248doi: 10.2746/042516409x475779google scholar: lookup
  8. Pollitt CC, Visser MB. Carbohydrate alimentary overload laminitis.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Apr;26(1):65-78.
    pubmed: 20381736doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.01.006google scholar: lookup
  9. Robertson TP, Bailey SR, Peroni JF. Equine laminitis: a journey to the dark side of venous.. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2009 Jun 15;129(3-4):164-6.
    pubmed: 19110318doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.11.015google scholar: lookup
  10. Belknap JK. The pharmacologic basis for the treatment of developmental and acute laminitis.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Apr;26(1):115-24.
    pubmed: 20381740doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.01.003google scholar: lookup
  11. Pollitt CC, van Eps AW. Prolonged, continuous distal limb cryotherapy in the horse.. Equine Vet J 2004 Apr;36(3):216-20.
    pubmed: 15147127doi: 10.2746/0425164044877152google scholar: lookup
  12. van Eps AW, Pollitt CC. Equine laminitis: cryotherapy reduces the severity of the acute lesion.. Equine Vet J 2004 Apr;36(3):255-60.
    pubmed: 15147134doi: 10.2746/0425164044877107google scholar: lookup
  13. Van Eps AW, Pollitt CC. Equine laminitis model: cryotherapy reduces the severity of lesions evaluated seven days after induction with oligofructose.. Equine Vet J 2009 Nov;41(8):741-6.
    pubmed: 20095220doi: 10.2746/042516409x434116google scholar: lookup
  14. van Eps AW, Leise BS, Watts M, Pollitt CC, Belknap JK. Digital hypothermia inhibits early lamellar inflammatory signalling in the oligofructose laminitis model.. Equine Vet J 2012 Mar;44(2):230-7.
    pubmed: 21895750doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00416.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  15. van Eps AW, Pollitt CC, Underwood C, Medina-Torres CE, Goodwin WA, Belknap JK. Continuous digital hypothermia initiated after the onset of lameness prevents lamellar failure in the oligofructose laminitis model.. Equine Vet J 2014 Sep;46(5):625-30.
    pubmed: 24004323doi: 10.1111/evj.12180google scholar: lookup
  16. van Eps AW. Therapeutic hypothermia (cryotherapy) to prevent and treat acute laminitis.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Apr;26(1):125-33.
    pubmed: 20381741doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.01.002google scholar: lookup
  17. van Eps AW, Walter LJ, Baldwin GI. Distal limb cryotherapy for the prevention of acute laminitis. Clin Tech Equine Pract 2004;3(1):64–70.
  18. Kullmann A, Holcombe SJ, Hurcombe SD, Roessner HA, Hauptman JG, Geor RJ, Belknap J. Prophylactic digital cryotherapy is associated with decreased incidence of laminitis in horses diagnosed with colitis.. Equine Vet J 2014 Sep;46(5):554-9.
    pubmed: 23927380doi: 10.1111/evj.12156google scholar: lookup
  19. Reesink HL, Divers TJ, Bookbinder LC, van Eps AW, Soderholm LV, Mohammed HO, Cheetham J. Measurement of digital laminar and venous temperatures as a means of comparing three methods of topically applied cold treatment for digits of horses.. Am J Vet Res 2012 Jun;73(6):860-6.
    pubmed: 22620701doi: 10.2460/ajvr.73.6.860google scholar: lookup
  20. Coimbra R, Melbostad H, Loomis W, Porcides RD, Wolf P, Tobar M, Hoyt DB. LPS-induced acute lung injury is attenuated by phosphodiesterase inhibition: effects on proinflammatory mediators, metalloproteinases, NF-kappaB, and ICAM-1 expression.. J Trauma 2006 Jan;60(1):115-25.
    pubmed: 16456445doi: 10.1097/01.ta.0000200075.12489.74google scholar: lookup
  21. Shan D, Wu HM, Yuan QY, Li J, Zhou RL, Liu GJ. Pentoxifylline for diabetic kidney disease.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012 Feb 15;(2):CD006800.
    pubmed: 22336824doi: 10.1002/14651858.cd006800.pub2google scholar: lookup
  22. Poggesi L, Scarti L, Boddi M, Masotti G, Serneri GG. Pentoxifylline treatment in patients with occlusive peripheral arterial disease. Circulatory changes and effects on prostaglandin synthesis.. Angiology 1985 Sep;36(9):628-37.
    pubmed: 3901827doi: 10.1177/000331978503600907google scholar: lookup
  23. Weiss DJ, Geor RJ, Burger K. Effects of pentoxifylline on hemorheologic alterations induced by incremental treadmill exercise in thoroughbreds.. Am J Vet Res 1996 Sep;57(9):1364-8.
    pubmed: 8874734
  24. Ingle-Fehr JE, Baxter GM. The effect of oral isoxsuprine and pentoxifylline on digital and laminar blood flow in healthy horses.. Vet Surg 1999 May-Jun;28(3):154-60.
    pubmed: 10338160doi: 10.1053/jvet.1999.0154google scholar: lookup
  25. Geor RJ, Weiss DJ, Burris SM, Smith CM 2nd. Effects of furosemide and pentoxifylline on blood flow properties in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1992 Nov;53(11):2043-9.
    pubmed: 1466500
  26. Barton MH, Moore JN, Norton N. Effects of pentoxifylline infusion on response of horses to in vivo challenge exposure with endotoxin.. Am J Vet Res 1997 Nov;58(11):1300-7.
    pubmed: 9361896
  27. Baskett A, Barton MH, Norton N, Anders B, Moore JN. Effect of pentoxifylline, flunixin meglumine, and their combination on a model of endotoxemia in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1997 Nov;58(11):1291-9.
    pubmed: 9361895
  28. Fugler LA, Eades SC, Moore RM, Koch CE, Keowen ML. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase activity in horses after intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide and treatment with matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.. Am J Vet Res 2013 Mar;74(3):473-80.
    pubmed: 23438126doi: 10.2460/ajvr.74.3.473google scholar: lookup
  29. Fugler LA, Eades SC, Koch CE, Keowen ML. Clinical and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory effects of pentoxifylline on carbohydrate overload laminitis: preliminary results. J Equine Vet Sci 2010;30(2):106–107.
  30. Visser MB, Pollitt CC. The timeline of metalloprotease events during oligofructose induced equine laminitis development.. Equine Vet J 2012 Jan;44(1):88-93.
    pubmed: 21696433doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00393.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  31. Garcia FA, Pinto SF, Cavalcante AF, Lucetti LT, Menezes SM, Felipe CF, Alves AP, Brito GA, Cerqueira GS, Viana GS. Pentoxifylline decreases glycemia levels and TNF-alpha, iNOS and COX-2 expressions in diabetic rat pancreas.. Springerplus 2014;3:283.
    pmc: PMC4070224pubmed: 24991532doi: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-283google scholar: lookup
  32. Allen D Jr, Clark ES, Moore JN, Prasse KW. Evaluation of equine digital Starling forces and hemodynamics during early laminitis.. Am J Vet Res 1990 Dec;51(12):1930-4.
    pubmed: 2085218
  33. Schnabel LV, Fortier LA, McIlwraith CW, Nobert KM. Therapeutic use of stem cells in horses: which type, how, and when?. Vet J 2013 Sep;197(3):570-7.
    pubmed: 23778257doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.018google scholar: lookup
  34. Sanchez LC, Robertson SA. Pain control in horses: what do we really know?. Equine Vet J 2014 Jul;46(4):517-23.
    pubmed: 24645799doi: 10.1111/evj.12265google scholar: lookup
  35. Robertson SA, Sanchez LC, Merritt AM, Doherty TJ. Effect of systemic lidocaine on visceral and somatic nociception in conscious horses.. Equine Vet J 2005 Mar;37(2):122-7.
    pubmed: 15779623doi: 10.2746/0425164054223723google scholar: lookup
  36. Malone E, Ensink J, Turner T, Wilson J, Andrews F, Keegan K, Lumsden J. Intravenous continuous infusion of lidocaine for treatment of equine ileus.. Vet Surg 2006 Jan;35(1):60-6.
    pubmed: 16409411doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2005.00113.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  37. Thomasy SM, Slovis N, Maxwell LK, Kollias-Baker C. Transdermal fentanyl combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for analgesia in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2004 Jul-Aug;18(4):550-4.
    pubmed: 15320597doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2004)18<550:tfcwna>2.0.co;2google scholar: lookup
  38. Terry RL, McDonnell SM, Van Eps AW, Soma LR, Liu Y, Uboh CE, Moate PJ, Driessen B. Pharmacokinetic profile and behavioral effects of gabapentin in the horse.. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2010 Oct;33(5):485-94.
    pubmed: 20840393doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2010.01161.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  39. Kochová P, Witter K, Cimrman R, Mezerová J, Tonar Z. A preliminary study into the correlation of stiffness of the laminar junction of the equine hoof with the length density of its secondary lamellae.. Equine Vet J 2013 Mar;45(2):170-5.
    pubmed: 22943492doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00632.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  40. Faramarzi B. Morphological and biomechanical properties of equine laminar junction. J Equine Vet Sci 2014;34(5):589–592.
  41. Thomason JJ, McClinchey HL, Faramarzi B, Jofriet JC. Mechanical behavior and quantitative morphology of the equine laminar junction.. Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol 2005 Apr;283(2):366-79.
    pubmed: 15747348doi: 10.1002/ar.a.20173google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Zaha C, Schuszler L, Dascalu R, Nistor P, Florea T, Rujescu C, Sicoe B, Igna C. Thermographic Image of the Hoof Print in Leisure and Cross-Country Warmblood Horses: A Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2023 Jul 18;10(7).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10070470pubmed: 37505874google scholar: lookup
  2. Hobbs K, Luethy D, Davis J, Mallicote M, Torcivia C, Kulp J, Stefanovski D, Futterman C, Cooper F, van Eps A. The effects of orally administered trazodone on ambulation and recumbency in healthy horses. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Sep-Oct;37(5):1899-1906.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16821pubmed: 37489582google scholar: lookup
  3. 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.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285475pubmed: 37155654google scholar: lookup
  4. Song Y, Day CM, Afinjuomo F, Tan JE, Page SW, Garg S. Advanced Strategies of Drug Delivery via Oral, Topical, and Parenteral Administration Routes: Where Do Equine Medications Stand?. Pharmaceutics 2023 Jan 4;15(1).
    doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010186pubmed: 36678815google scholar: lookup
  5. Silverstein ML, McLean P, Crowley JS, Gosman AA. Topical Dimethyl Sulfoxide for Congested Nipple-areolar Complexes in Breast Surgery: A Pilot Study. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2022 Oct;10(10):e4595.
    doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004595pubmed: 36320619google scholar: lookup
  6. Lee D, May K, Faramarzi B. Comparison of first and second acupuncture treatments in horses with chronic laminitis. Iran J Vet Res 2019 Winter;20(1):9-12.
    pubmed: 31191693
  7. de Laat MA, Reiche DB, Sillence MN, McGree JM. Incidence and risk factors for recurrence of endocrinopathic laminitis in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2019 May;33(3):1473-1482.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15497pubmed: 30972832google scholar: lookup
  8. Hardefeldt LY, Thomas K, Begg L. Antimicrobial use and prescribing practices by equine veterinarians in Australia: Insights into reproduction, dentistry, compounding and use for nonbactericidal effects. Aust Vet J 2025 Jun;103(6):307-313.
    doi: 10.1111/avj.13428pubmed: 40000246google scholar: lookup
  9. Loos C, Castelein A, Vanzant E, Adam E, McLeod KR. Nutraceutical Supplement Mitigates Insulin Resistance in Horses with a History of Insulin Dysregulation During a Challenge with a High-Starch Diet. Animals (Basel) 2024 Nov 25;14(23).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14233385pubmed: 39682351google scholar: lookup
  10. Khaledi KA, Mirshahi A, Sardari K, Azizzadeh M, Ghasemi S. Radiographic assessment of normal parameters of forelimb distal phalanx in Turkmen horses. Vet Res Forum 2024;15(1):43-47.
    doi: 10.30466/vrf.2023.562962.3653pubmed: 38464607google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.