The Stages of Laminitis

Laminitis can start quickly or slowly. Owners may be distressed to suddenly find their horse lying on the ground unable to rise because of laminitis pain or their horse may just be a little lame with slight warmth in one or more feet.

Acute Laminitis

Generally, however, laminitis will start as an acute event. This means that it starts quite quickly and causes quite a lot of pain. If such a condition is treated quickly it can stop quite quickly and be over in 10-14 days but if not treated quickly and effectively and if preventative measures are not used it can progress to become a chronic (long term) case.

Chronic laminitis

Chronic laminitis is that type of disease problem which drags on and on and never really goes away. The horse in question has repeated mild attacks of the disease and the feet are so changed that any little change in diet brings on the problem again. A horse may be a chronic laminitic case but still get one or two acute attacks each year. Of course one acute attack always makes it more likely that your horse will become chronic and prevention is very important from that time on.

Stephen Ashdown’s Free Vet Advice Helpline: 01243 773363