Descriptive epidemiological study of equine laminitis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Health
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Laminitis is a significant equine health concern.
• Understanding risk factors and treatment variations is crucial for equine welfare.
• Previous research has explored various aspects of laminitis, but comprehensive data on drug and treatment use across different clinical settings is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe laminitis cases in horses treated in private practices and a veterinary teaching hospital.
• To identify common preceding conditions, particularly gastrointestinal disease.
• To analyze the use of various drugs and treatment modalities in acute versus chronic laminitis.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive and matched case-control study was conducted.
• Data collected from 108 horses diagnosed with laminitis between May 1992 and July 1993.
• Involved 7 private veterinary practices and the Texas Veterinary Medical Centre (TVMC).

Main Results:

• Gastrointestinal disease was identified as the most common preceding condition in 54% of horses with acute laminitis.
• Commonly used drugs included phenylbutazone, acepromazine, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), antibiotics, and flunixin meglumine.
• Treatment protocols, including shoeing and trimming, differed between acute and chronic laminitis cases.
• Older age and female sex were associated with chronic laminitis, while no significant associations were found for acute laminitis.

Conclusions:

• Gastrointestinal disease is a key factor preceding acute laminitis in horses.
• Specific drug and treatment choices vary based on laminitis chronicity and clinical setting.
• Older female horses may be at higher risk for developing chronic laminitis.