Are Drugs Effective Treatment for Horses With Acute Laminitis?

Currently, the only therapy for horses with acute laminitis for which there is consensus among practitioners is aggressive treatment for the disease process that has initiated laminitis. Although other treatments may have merit and seem logical based on studies of the pathogenesis of laminitis, the efficacy of these treatments has not been proven. Some of the confusion regarding treatment of horses for laminitis is the result of differing theories regarding the pathogenesis of laminitis and failure of clinicians to distinguish between recommendations made for treatment during the developmental (prodromal) stages (i.e., before signs of foot pain are observed) and recommendations for treatment during the acute phase (i.e., when signs of foot pain are apparent). Controlled studies have not shown the efficacy of any drug for treating horses in the acute phase of laminitis. Authors’ addresses: Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 (Moyer, Carter); Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5522 (John Schumacher); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 77901-1071 (Jim Schumacher); e-mail: [email protected]. © 2008 AAEP.