Are swellings
linked to laminitis?
Q: I own a lovely grey Arab mare and we take part in long-distance
riding.

She suffers
from laminitis so is kept on a high fibre, low sugar diet plus vitamins,
minerals and Devil's Claw. She has now developed soft swellings
on the outside of her legs, just above each fetlock. She is also
stiff on her left foreleg.
I have a
feeling these problems might be connected to the mild bouts of laminitis.
Is this likely to be the case, and can you explain what these soft
lumps are? She alo has a windgall on her left hind leg.
A:These
soft swellings on your horse's fetlocks are most likely to be related
to distension of joint capsules within the fetlock. However, to
make sure it would be necessary to see a picture of their exact
nature and position.
Since you horse
has had laminitis occasionally, this is likely to put unusual strain
on joints, muscles and tendons. Swellings, windgalls and occasional
lameness may result from the extra strain when she has been lame
with laminitis.
I would suggest
you try some alternative ways of preventing laminitis permanently.
One of the best ways to do this is to improve the digestive process
and thereby remove acid conditions in the blood which cause blood
vessels in the feet to shut off.
One alternative
for laminitis is to use probiotics to make sure the bowel flora
remain stable. Together with probiotics, you could also use Aloe
vera or Devil's Claw to dampen down inflammation. Another simpler,
alternative is to use a liver stimulant,
which helps the liver break down acids and carbohydrates before they
cause problems.
Forward
to Laminitis (2)
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