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Laminitis in a mature elk hind (Cervus elaphus)
H E Gray1, C Card, K E Baptiste
1Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital, 171 Union Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01105-2020, USA.
Summary
Laminitis is a key diagnosis for elk with leg lameness and hoof issues. Prompt treatment of the cause and hoof care offer elk a good chance of recovery.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Science
- Wildlife Health
Background:
- Laminitis is a debilitating condition affecting hoof health.
- Recognizing laminitis in elk is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight laminitis as a differential diagnosis in elk.
- To describe clinical signs and prognostic factors for laminitis in elk.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical cases of elk exhibiting lameness.
- Analysis of presenting signs including shifting leg lameness, reluctance to move, recumbency, and hoof wall abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Shifting leg lameness, reluctance to move, recumbency, and hoof wall ridging are indicative of laminitis in elk.
- Identification of underlying causes and application of corrective hoof trimming are critical for recovery.
Conclusions:
- Laminitis should be a primary consideration in elk presenting with characteristic lameness and hoof changes.
- Effective management involving addressing the root cause and corrective trimming improves the prognosis for affected elk.