Comprehensive Approach to Treatment of Chronic Laminitis in Ponies: A Clinical Case Report
Authors: Korobchuk M. V. , Karklin A. I. , Romanova O. V. , Nechaev A. Yu. 
Published: March 2024

Introduction. Equine laminitis is one of the most serious pathologies due to the consequences it can entail, such as the chronic pain in the hooves, rapid impairment of working capacity and even death of an animal. However, the analysis of the literature sources leads us to the conclusion that the lack of a systematic, comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of equine laminitis still remains an acute problem in the modern equine medicine. There exist various methods and techniques, but a comprehensive protocol on how and when they should be applied is missing, the same as the information on the cases for their strict contraindication. The present research aims to demonstrate the efficiency of the comprehensive approach proposed by the authors for treatment of equine laminitis by the example of a clinical case of a Welsh pony.

Materials and Methods. Treatment and observation were carried out in a Welsh pony of the Equestrian Sports Club of Pushkinskiy district, Saint-Petersburg, during 2019–2020. The examination of the animal and the disease etiological factor determination were performed according to the clinical examination plan developed by the authors. Afterwards, the disease development stage was determined according to the original author's consolidated table of the animal condition assessment signs, which would be published for the first time. The diagnosis was confirmed by the X-ray examination of the injured limbs. Then, based on the results of the examination, a treatment plan was worked out, including scraping and filing down the forelimb hooves, as well as adjusting the animal's diet and changing the keeping conditions. Daily monitoring of the blood glucose level fluctuations was made using a portable glucose meter.

Results. A comprehensive approach to treatment of chronic laminitis in the reported clinical case has proved to be highly efficient. The scraping and filing down the hoof wall, performed based on the results of X-ray examination, allowed the hoof shape to return close to normal. Change of the animal’s diet and keeping conditions (especially almost complete exclusion of the high-calorie compound feed from the diet and daily walking of the pony in a herd in the levada with natural soil) resulted in the reduction of the excess body weight and normalisation of the daily blood glucose level fluctuations that fostered the recovery of the pony and diminished the risk of laminitis relapses in the future.

Discussion and Conclusions. The reported clinical case clearly demonstrates that the diagnosis and treatment of horses with laminitis should be implemented on a basis of a system. The following steps are necessary for compiling an efficient animal treatment protocol: collection of the anamnesis, clinical examinations, application of the additional diagnostic methods, identification of the systemic disorders in the body that could become the etiological factors causing the laminitis, defining the disease stage. The competent correction of the diet, care and keeping conditions are crucial for the recovery of an animal and prevention of the disease relapses. To fulfil the above, the coordinated work of a veterinarian and a farrier is required, as well as willingness of the owners to fulfil accurately and timely the recommendations of the specialists.