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Persistent digital hyperthermia over a 48 h period does not induce laminitis in horses
Melody A de Laat1, Christopher C Pollitt, Donald M Walsh
1Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia. m.delaat@uq.edu.au
Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997)
|October 26, 2011
Summary
Persistent digital hyperthermia in horses does not cause laminitis on its own. This study found that elevated hoof temperatures, even for 48 hours, did not lead to laminitis without high insulin levels.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Science
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Persistent digital hyperthermia is observed during insulin-induced laminitis development.
- Vasodilation is presumed to be the cause of this increased hoof temperature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if persistent digital hyperthermia is the primary cause of laminitis.
- To determine the role of vasodilation in laminitis pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Continuous intra-osseous infusion of ATP-MgCl(2) (vasodilator) into the distal phalanx of Standardbred racehorses for 48 hours.
- Use of saline infusion in the contralateral limb as an internal control.
- Monitoring of clinical lameness, hoof wall temperatures, serum insulin, and blood glucose levels.
Main Results:
- Infusion of ATP-MgCl(2) successfully induced persistent digital hyperthermia (left hoof mean temperature 29.4°C vs. right 27.5°C).
- No clinical lameness or histopathological evidence of laminitis was observed in any horse.
- Serum insulin and blood glucose concentrations remained stable throughout the experiment.
Conclusions:
- Digital vasodilation leading to hyperthermia for 48 hours does not induce laminitis in horses lacking hyperinsulinaemia.
- While digital hyperthermia may contribute to laminitis, it is not the sole causative factor.
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