Posted by M. W. Myers, D.V.M. on August 18, 2003 at 22:08:16:
In Reply to: Question for Dr. Myers posted by Linda on August 18, 2003 at 18:14:35:
: I have a five-year-old Paint mare who recently contracted laminitis after experiencing a severe hoof injury. The back 1/3 of her right hoof was cut through approximately up as far as the coffin joint about five weeks ago. She was doing great until contracting laminitis about one week ago. Radiographs showed a slight (3 degrees) rotation on the left front foot; no rotation on the right. She has been treated with DMSO and banamine and now the vet would like to try Dr. Redden's technique of realigning the distal phalanx to lift the toe off the shoe to try to give her some relief. I have read that this technique is used on horses who have had laminitis for more than three months. The vet has tried other shoeing but the horse is experiencing too much pain both from the crack and the laminitis. Just curious if you have any thoughts on this very frustrating situation. The vet thinks we have about a 50/50 chance of eventually having a sound horse.
Rather than do a trial and error format, I would advise first doing diagnostic nerve blocks to pinpoint the major pain source if possible. Then do a venogram to assess circulation pattern. This will give you a better idea of how to shoe this horse.
Don't nail shoes on a painful laminitic horse, glue on only.
I can better assist if I see radiographs and venograms of this horse. A video would be good, also.
M. W. Myers, D.V.M.