Serenity Equine - About Laminitis

About Laminitis

If you have come to this site, you probably have an idea what laminitis is. Briefly, it is inflammation of the lamina or supporting structures that hold the P3 or coffin bone to the hard hoof wall. When these structures inflame, they subsequently die allowing the P3 to rotate in a downward direction putting pressure and pain on the structures of the sole of the foot. In extreme cases, the P3 or coffin bone can prolapse or penetrate through the sole.

The treatment and surgical correction of this very painful process should be left in the hands of a laminitis specialist.

Prevention of laminitis may or may not be possible. Over-weight horses on high carbohydrate diets are more at risk. Horses that have undergone surgery, or medical procedures are also at risk if the horse was gravely ill at the onset. Mares with difficulty foaling or retained placenta also fall into this category. Horses with long toes or club feet, horses that have experienced concussion trauma - such as galloping on asphalt are also at risk. Good veterinary management of the above conditions can many times prevent laminitis from occurring.

Our hospital and staff are highly qualified in handling the treatment of laminitis cases and have enjoyed remarkable results. The recovery period is often tedious and patience and diligence is crucial.

Most of our cases stay at the center for 3-6 months. It is of paramount importance that your horse return to you with feet that will not require any further extraordinary care. We want your horse to return to you in as perfect a condition as possible. Most of you have suffered enough trauma and stress trying methods that didn't work or just standing there helpless unable to find the help you wish you could give. We want you to relax and let us handle the problem.

During your horse's stay at the center, we will provide derotation, bandaging, soaking, trimming, medicating and surgery when it is needed and as often as needed. The disease has a frustrating course that often takes unexpected turns. It is very important that your horse be monitored daily.

We also provide alternative therapeutics as we deem them necessary. They include laser acupuncture and stimulation, deep myofascial massage and modified chiropractics.

We provide different forms of bedding and diet. If we need to feed four or five times a day to keep your horse happy, we do. We alternate the types of hay we feed to keep them from boredom. We supplement with fresh grass and treats such as fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy peppermints. The return from laminitis is a mental as well as physical ladder that must be climbed rung by rung, day by day. That has been our experience.

Many of you may feel that your horse could not possibly stand to be transported to our facility. With proper handling and help from your veterinarian and farrier, your horse will arrive safely.

To attempt to delve into the specifics of what we do would take more space than we have available, instead, why don't you take a look at some of our results listed here under "Case Studies".