The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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10 TheHorse.com THE HORSE January 2016 NEWSFRONT Inquiries to: 859/276-6726 E-Mail: News@TheHorse.com ERICA LARSON, News Editor @TH_EricaLarson Supporting-Limb Laminitis Uncommon Researchers recently determined that the risk of horses developing supporting-limb laminitis (SLL)—in a foot opposite a lame leg— is slight. In one large U.K. referral clinic, only 0.02% of horses considered at risk for SLL actually developed the disease, said Claire Wylie, PhD, MSc, BVM&S;, of Rossdales Equine Hospital, in Newmarket. Her research was the first to define the overall prevalence of SLL in a hospitalized equine population. And interestingly, she said, not all of the SLL-afflicted horses had non- weight-bearing lameness. Because SLL incidence was so low, it was difficult to identify risk factors, said Wylie. But prevention is still smart. "It is prudent to apply prophylactic measures to counteract the forces which could be contrib- uting to SLL—something as simple as provision of a deep shavings bed, adequate pain relief, and frog supports," said Wylie. "Implementing what are quite simple, cheap preventive mea- sures is probably worth it even if it does just prevent that one case." And don't forget to manage the other sourc- es of laminitis, she added. "Recent research has found that endocrinopathic diseases are, by far, the most common causes of laminitis in the general population. What this study has highlighted is that the efforts of owners to pre- vent laminitis of endocrinopathic/inflammatory origin is probably going to reduce the impact of the disease more" in the grand scheme of things than focusing solely on SLL, she said. Learn more about SLL and the study findings at TheHorse.com/36885. —Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA How Do You Handle Colic ? Swiss research- ers recently reported the first confirmed homozygous case of Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS), said Chloé Monthoux, DVM, of the University of Zurich's Vetsuisse Faculty Clinic of Reproductive Medicine. The team recently published a report detailing the case of a newborn foal with extensive skin lesions and an open abdomen. The filly's complications were severe enough that she was euthanized. Genetic testing later showed that she was homozygous posi- tive (having two copies of the causative genetic mutation) for WFFS, said Monthoux. Testing of close family members revealed that the dam and several half- siblings were heterozygous (hav- ing one copy of the mutation) for the disease. A similar condition to heredi- tary equine regional dermal as- thenia (HERDA), which is found primarily in certain stock horse lines, WFFS makes equine skin prone to stretching, tears, and other lesions, Monthoux said. Learn more about the condi- tion, genetic testing, and more at TheHorse.com/36861. —Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA Recent study results sug- gest that owners' actions and decisions in response to these and other colic signs vary considerably and de- pend on their knowledge of and experience with horses and colic. And veterinarians could benefit from know- ing their clients better to foster communication and improve colic outcomes. "It is hoped that by understanding a little more from the owner's point of view, this work can … assist people with decision- making around managing suspected colic cases and when it is best to call the vet," said Claire Scant- lebury, BSc, BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, of the University of Liverpool, in the U.K. Via their study of U.K. horse owners, Scantlebury and colleagues found that owner actions fell into three categories: wait and see, try home remedies, or call a veterinarian. But certain aspects, such as how long owners waited or tried home remedies and why, varied considerably, potentially putting horses at risk for poorer outcomes. "In cases that require surgery, early referral … provides the best chance of a good outcome," Scantle- bury said. "Therefore, the timing of the decision to call the vet is an important step involved in this decision- making process." She said the team found that some of the owners' ap- proaches to managing colic were influenced by previous experience, but also "the human-horse relationship shaped decision-making around colic management, particularly relating to sur- gery and euthanasia. "By acknowledging the diversity among equine caretakers, it is conceiv- able that in order to reach people for educational purposes, a 'one size fits all' message may not suit everybody," she said. Learn more at TheHorse. com/36799. —Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA ISTOCK.COM H e's pawing, kicking at his abdomen, and looking at his sides. Now he's down for a minute, then back up, and down again. What would you do in this scenario? COURTESY SABINA LOUISE PIERCE/ UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA First Case of HERDA-like Disease in Warmbloods Identifed