Hi Doctor Tom,
I have a mini and he is having a hard time with
his legs and feet. I had the same farrier for 4 years and the past 6 months or
so he hasn't been doing a good job. I had the vet out to take a look at both of
my minis hoofs and right away she said get a new farrier. I did and she is
great. But I do believe that maybe she has been taking too much off at once.
Now the little guy is having trouble standing for long periods of time. He lays
down a lot, still eating and drinking though. I have had the vet out 3 times
now. We took x-rays and his coffin bone is rotated a little bit. But before I got him he did founder. Now they are saying he has laminitis we
wrapped his front feet and put down some foam too under the wrapping. He is on
bute and doxycycline. I also went to the feet store today and got some
numotizine and put that on his hoofs and the pads of his feet wrapped baby
huggies on his feet and duck taped them. Should I also rub this stuff on his
legs too? I only did the front feet. My vet told me that the back legs and
hoofs don't work as well doing this. But it seems to me that the back legs are
hurting him more. Should I do the same to the backs also? And rub this on his
legs too? How long does something like this take to go away? I do have to say
he is a bit better but not 100% yet. He is still laying down a lot. He stayed
in the barn for a few days and now he is coming out and laying outside in the
sunshine. If you could let me know what you think.
L
Hi L,
Mini
horses that develop laminitis/founder are usually quite overweight, so getting
this under control is very important.
Small
changes made to their hooves offer BIG changes to the way they feel.
Diet
should be scrutinized and should consist of grass-based forage.
There
are a ton of websites out there that you can read up on laminitis and
treatment/trimming, and you'll want to follow a barefoot program to avoid
further damage from shoes or glue on things. Do a computer search for
"laminitis barefoot" and you'll be reading a long time.
I
wouldn't use the numotizine. The antibiotics are generally not a good idea
either, unless you're dealing with some other infection somewhere. The bute is
generally only a bandaid as well. Correct trimming and using little
boots/booties offer the best relief.
Certainly
there is no reason to be overly worried. Laminitis and founder is simple to
treat once you learn the basics.
Dr.
Tom T.
Hey Dr Tom,
I have two mini's mother and daughter later was born here. mother was a rescue turned out to be PG. mother seems to have mental issues both are lame, baby (4years)was diagnosed with laminitis, mother walks like wooden soldier ( stiff legged)both have been in barn all summer Appetites are good and no fever,(feed is Grass hay.( no grain)any ideas what could be problem or how to treat???? I know this difficult, but I am the end of my $
Thanks ,Bob W
Posted by: Bob West | September 26, 2007 at 10:08 AM
I've been thinking about getting a mini horse and have seen
a young mare who has clubfoot of one front foot.
she is about 3 years old and seems otherwise healthy and functional.
what should I look forward to if I purchase her?
Can this be fixed? She does need to see a farrier for sure,
will this help the clubbing? Am I looking at a lifetime of worry and expense?
Would she be facing a life of pain?
Thanks,
chris
Posted by: Chris Rosenquist | September 14, 2011 at 07:41 PM