For horses living with laminitis, there is no easy answer for a treatment.

Question:

My 27-year-old gelding has laminitis and has recently spent 14 days at the University of Wisconsin. I have him on Pergolide and have recently taken off his shoes. Should I keep him barefoot? What are the best supplements to give him for arthritis that won’t upset his condition? He is currently sound. What do you suggest I do to keep him sound?

For advice, we sought out Dr. Tom Lenz with Pfizer Animal Health.

Answer:

It is virtually impossible to give you good advice on this horse without examining the horse first.

Laminitis is a difficult condition to manage and requires changes in therapy as the horse progresses from acute laminitis to chronic laminitis. Radiographs (X-rays) will need to be taken periodically to assess the degree of rotation.

I recommend you keep in contact with the clinicians at Wisconsin or ask your local veterinarian to evaluate the horse periodically and make appropriate therapy adjustments.

– Dr. Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, Pfizer Animal Health

Learn more about this debilitating condition. Download the AQHA Laminitis Treatment Report for FREE.