205 East O'Connor Drive
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 723-2644
header
petportal

June 2007

Laminitis Alert

Laminitis is a disease of the sensitive laminae in the horse's foot. Although the disease most commonly affects the front feet, the hind feet can be affected as well. Rotation and sinking of the coffin bone are two possible consequences of a single severe laminitic episode or of repeated episodes. Sinking is less common, but much more severe.

Some of the Causes of Laminitis:

  • Carbohydrate Overload - occurs when the horse eats an excess of grain or eats grass that has accumulated excess non-structural carbohydrates (fresh, new growth)

  • Insulin Resistance/Cushing's Disease - horses that tend to become obese very easily may be insulin resistant and unable to be grazed on anything but sparse grass.

  • Hard Ground - riding the horse on hard surfaces increase the concussion on the horse's feet. The greater and more prolonged the concussion, the higher the risk for the horse to contract laminitis.

  • Colic/Retained Placenta/Untreated Infections - these problems may cause a release of endotoxins into the blood stream, which may trigger laminitis.
  • Lameness - a horse may favor the injured leg placing more stress on the healthy leg resulting in laminitis.

Symptoms of Laminitis:

  • Increased temperature of the wall, sole, and/or coronary band of the foot.

  • A pounding pulse in the digital palmar artery.

  • Walking very tenderly, as if walking on egg shells

  • Repeated "easing" of affected feet or standing to decrease the load on the affected feet, often rocking back on hind legs is seen

  • Tendency to lie down whenever possible or, if extreme, to remain lying down

If you suspect that your horse is suffering from laminitis, first-aid treatment of soaking or hosing the feet in cold water and placing the horse on soft footing may help in the early treatment. However, it is important to call the office and schedule a visit with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and complete treatment options.

Summer's Mane News

IT'S SHOW TIME! That means Coggins Tests and Health Certificates. It's always best to plan ahead and schedule your appointments well in advance of your horse show or travel plans. Be advised that in accordance with most states' requirements for health certificates, a veterinarian must have seen your horse within 30 days of your travel dates.

VACCINATION REVIEW:
With mosquito season upon us, make sure that your horse is fully vaccinated for West Nile and Eastern and Western Encephaloymelitis. Horses that will be in contact with others should also be vaccinated for Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis. Don't forget your horse's annual rabies vaccination, also.

PARASITES:
It's important to stay current on deworming as parasites are especially active through the summer. Where possible, remove the manure from paddocks and pastures to reduce the fly and parasite population.

RIDING WITH BARBARO

Few people haven't heard of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, and his heroic fight to recover from a horrific leg fracture that occurred at the PreaknessStakes. What ultimately cost Barbaro his life was the laminitis in his opposing hind foot and both front feet.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association has established the Barbaro Memorial Fund. The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic Ltd has purchased a number of "Riding With Barbaro" wristbands as a show of support and solidarity in the cause of laminitis research.

Our doctors will be giving the wristbands to clients while supplies last. Be sure to ask for yours when your veterinarian visits you and your horse.

Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic Goes DIGITAL

The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic is pleased to announce the acquisition of a new state-of-the-art digital x-ray system. Our clients will reap the multiple benefits of digital radiography, not the least of which is the immediacy of images. If the study takes place on the farm, you will be able to view the radiographs and discuss treatment options immediately for your horse. No longer will our doctors have to drive x-ray plates back to the clinic for developing. Viewing takes place on a high-definition computer screen with a software program that allows the doctor to optimize the image for more accurate reading and diagnosis, including some soft tissue evaluation.

No longer will the doctors have to make multiple visits to your farm to get a satisfactory radiograph. Since the x-ray image is displayed immediately, the doctor will know right away whether a retake is necessary and the x-ray can be taken while the horse is in the correct position and still tranquilized.

Drs. Tully and Leibsle discuss a lameness case while looking
at the horse's digital x-ray on the computer screen.

Dr. Leibsle Joins our Team

The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic Ltd welcomes Dr. Scott Leibsle to our team of large animal doctors. Dr. Leibsle returned to his hometown in December after spending two years at Sawtooth Equine Service in Bellevue, Idaho where he specialized in surgery, lameness, and dentistry.
Many of you may know Dr. Leibsle as he was raised in Elkhorn, graduating from Elkhorn Area High School in 1995. After graduating from Allegheny College in 1999 with a degree in biochemistry, Dr. Leibsle attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. He received his DVM in 2003 with an emphasis in equine medicine and surgery.
Dr. Leibsle served two internships after graduating from veterinary school. The first with Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala, FL and the second with Midwest Equine Service in Richmond, WI. Dr. Leibsle's internships and prior work experience were crucial in helping to develop his professional interests and skills in gastrointestinal disease, soft tissue surgery, neurologic disease, lameness, and dentistry.
When Dr. Leibsle isn't working you can find him on the golf course, fishing, downhill skiing, or working in his woodworking shop.


About your privacy | Please read our disclaimer