Factors involved in the prognosis of equine laminitis in the UK

Abstract

Summary The significance of clinical and radiological parameters as prognostic indicators for laminitis, ‘founder’ and ‘sinking syndrome’ was studied using case records of 216 horses and ponies. Five animals were destroyed without treatment and were not included in the results of the study. One hundred and sixty‐two (77%) animals returned to athletic soundness; 7 animals (3%) did not regain full athletic function, 42 animals (20%) died or were destroyed. Cases were assigned to 4 groups on the basis of initial clinical examination alone. These groups were laminitis, acute founder, ‘sinker’ and chronic founder. This grouping was found in itself to be the most important prognostic parameter which was studied. Stepwise regression analysis of the data from animals by group indicated that the radiological measurement of founder distance, was the most significant radiological prognostic measurement for acute founder cases. Less significant prognostic parameters were the severity of lameness, rotation angles, the presence of solar prolapse, and the number of feet affected. The height of the animal at the withers was not significantly related to outcome. The prognosis for horses was not significantly different from that for ponies.

Radiological anatomy of distal phalanx of front foot in the pure Iranian Arabian horse

“…A number of different radiological parameters are therefore required to fully document the anatomy of the foot and to evaluate fully the nature and extent of the anatomical changes present within the affected foot. It is a clinical imperative to be able to accurately detect modest change within the affected foot because recovery prospects are generally accepted to be related both to the nature and extent of the anatomical changes within the foot [10]. There are inherent inaccuracies associated with the measurement of radiological parameters and alternative parameters which can improve diagnostic accuracy are welcomed.…”

“…This is of clinical importance because treatment outcome and recovery prospects are related to the degree of anatomical change [10]. Clinical assessment of the presented foot should therefore be directed to the effective detection and quantification of anatomical change.…”

Unilateral Basement Membrane Zone Alteration of the Regenerated Laminar Region in Equine Chronic Laminitis

“…Laminitis is one such intractable hoof condition and has a recurrent nature. Many horses have suffered from this disease over extended periods, resulting in significant treatment costs, and therefore the equine industry has a great deal of interest in clarifying the pathogenesis and developing treatment methods [5,9,12].…”

“…Laminitis is one such intractable hoof condition and has a recurrent nature. Many horses have suffered from this disease over extended periods, resulting in significant treatment costs, and therefore the equine industry has a great deal of interest in clarifying the pathogenesis and developing treatment methods [5,9,12].Anatomically, the laminar region in foot displays a complex 3-dimensional structure consisting of the primary epidermal lamina (PEL) and the secondary epidermal lamina (SEL) which interdigitate with their dermal counterparts [24]. These dermal and epidermal components are separated by the basement membrane zone (BMZ), which is composed of a basement membrane and its accompaniments like the hemidesmosome and anchoring fibril [23].…”

Equine Laminitis: A retrospective study of 55 cases (2000-2004)

“…The evaluation of these three parameters is of great clinical significance in the prognosis of laminitis (Cripps et al 1999a(Cripps et al , 1999b.…”