Laminitis Research Group Still Recruiting Cases (AAEP 2012)

Owners of laminitic horses can speak with their veterinarian about registering to be included in the study.
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In a recent survey of American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) members, 65% reported that laminitis is at the top of their list of conditions requiring more research and understanding. In 2000 the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service estimated that 13% of U.S. horse operations deal with horses affected by laminitis annually and that the condition impacts approximately 2% of U.S. horses each year. A report at the 2009 AAEP Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Workshop estimated that 15% of horses will develop laminitis during their lifetimes. In other words, equine veterinarians are not just imagining that this is a significant issue.

At the 2012 AAEP Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Anaheim, Calif., Michelle Coleman, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, described an epidemiologic study in which researchers are examining pasture and endocrinopathy-associated laminitis (PEAL). Up until now, most laminitis study models have been based on experimental induction of this disease. This current PEAL study is designed to evaluate patient-based cases of owner-managed horses, making it extremely relevant to studying spontaneous occurrence of laminitis.

The investigators are comparing healthy controls and lameness controls with no history of laminitis to animals that have developed laminitis within the previous four weeks; the laminitis cases studied (also referred to as index cases) cannot be caused by sepsis, grain overload, or excess weight bearing. For a horse to qualify for study inclusion, he must be at least Obel Grade 2 lame (moves willingly at a walk and trot but with a noticeably shortened and stabbing stride; a foot can be lifted off the ground without difficulty) and exhibit at least two of the following characteristics: sensitivity to hoof testers, a foundered stance, radiographic (X ray) evidence of thickened laminae, and no history of prior laminitis or other lameness. The healthy control horses must live on different premises than the index cases. Similarly, the lame controls must live on different premises than the index cases and have a history of being Grade 3 lame (at a trot on a straight line) in one forelimb for no more than four weeks.

"The objective is to identify characteristics particular to laminitis cases," said Coleman. The researchers are also collecting pertinent information about each horse, including breed and age, housing and management, activity type and level, hoof care, nutrition, pasture exposure, pasture characteristics, physiological factors (body condition, pregnancy, lactation, medication administered, as examples), and history of recent transportation

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Written by:

Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. She has also authored the books Go the Distance as a resource for endurance horse owners, Conformation and Performance, and First Aid for Horse and Rider in addition to many veterinary articles for both horse owner and professional audiences.

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