ArizonaRealCountry.com 7 June 2019 TREATMENT Medical care is similar for both cases. Frog supports, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), rest, and other medications, as needed, will help relieve the pain. Regarding pain levels, it is worth noting that a horse experiencing founder does not necessarily behave more painfully than a horse with acute laminitis. Treatment in the acute phase focuses on protecting the now very fragile laminae. Stall rest is critical, as is decreasing the mechanical pull of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Supporting the sole with padding, sand bedding, or using hoof wedges to decrease the tension of the DDFT can help reduce rotation. Long-term care is aimed at stabilizing the third phalanx (P3) so new sole can be produced. An unstable and maligned P3 is the source of chronic hoof abscesses, deterioration, and bone infection. These conditions must be addressed before the foot can heal. In severe cases, the DDFT is cut to provide relief from the rotational forces. These horses can be pasture sound and even used for some light riding. Hoof trimming and shoeing are key treatments to stabilize the coffin bone. It is helpful to work with an experienced veterinarian and farrier together. Shoeing techniques can decrease the tension that causes rotation and displacement of P3. Once a horse has foundered, the laminar attachments never heal 100% and are always, to some degree, compromised. Long-term foot maintenance and special foot care considerations are imperative for long-term success. CAUSES One of the leading causes of founder is from obesity. Feeding your horse a large amount of soluble carbohydrates causes an overload of undigested sugars and starches. Horse owners wanting to understand the effects of sugar on the horse’s metabolism and how difficult it is to predict sugar content in a particular grass or hay should understand that whether it’s from grain, grass or hay, a diet rich in sugar triggers the inflammation, and therefore pain, in the hoof. Ask the Vet continued from page 5 Most all grain products are very high in sugar content, and pasture can fluctuate from moderate to high sugar levels. What is even less known is that some hays may be causing laminitis problems as well, as many of the hays commonly available have been hybridized for maximum sugar content. Other laminitis triggers are not quite as obvious. Some horses react to certain medications, vaccines and wormers. Infectious diseases or a retained placenta are also possible causes. Metabolic disorders such as Cushing’s and insulin resistance can cause chronic laminitis and can be particularly difficult to treat. High fever or illness causing equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), severe cases of colic, stress such as traveling, foaling, or changes in the environment, working too fast or hard for a long period of time and black walnut shavings in bedding have all been cited. And laminitis is not just for obese horses. While obesity may make a particular horse an easier target for a laminitis attack, a thin horse can still be susceptible. If your horse is suddenly moving differently, and there’s no evidence of injury, take note of what may have changed in the last few weeks. Is she being fed different hay? Has she been put out on pasture? Has there been any other change in the feeding routine? Have any medications been administered? If laminitis is suspected, contact your veterinarian immediately, remove any identifiable triggers, and make sure the horse is transitioned to a low sugar diet. An ounce of prevention goes a long way; attacking laminitis before it gets a foothold will save a lot of agony for horse and owner. By learning more about laminitis, its causes, signs and treatments, we may be able to minimize the risks of laminitis in your horse, or control the long-term damage if it does occur. Arizona’sUltimate,Year-RoundFamilyFunDestination.Arizona’sLargestCollectionofExoticAnimals. NorthernAve.andthe303Freeway•623-935-WILD(9453)•WildlifeWorld.com 20newspecies,including3newRhinos! Don’tMiss OurNew BabyGiraffe, Austin! Don’tMiss OurNew BabySeaLion, Sunny! Zoo,aquariumandsafaripark with6,000animals, 8showsdaily, tonsofrides, athousandthrills andamillionsmiles. AllinOneDay! Enjoythenew 8acreadditiontoour Off Admission Per Person/$20 Value Not valid with any other discounts $ 5