One of the most crucial seminar sessions at this
week's BEVA congress will be that led by John Stewart, starting at 2pm
on Friday 14 September.
Sponsored by The Horse Trust, which
has invested many thousands of pounds in laminitis research during the
past 20 years, it will feature short presentations by Jim Belknap, Andy
Parks and Eric Abrahamsen on the pathophysiology of acute laminitis;
patterns of displacement of the sital phalanx and its sequelae, how to
prevent and or manage distal phalanx displacement in the acute stage of
laminitis, how to choose appropriate medical therapy for the acute
stage; effective pain management and assessment and management of the
chronically laminitic horse.
Chief executive and resident
veterinary surgeon of The Horse Trust, Paul Jepson, says: "Researchers
at the Royal Veterinary College have done much to unscramble our
understanding of the complexities of the condition. Laminitis is a
problem for around one in six of our resident population of 100 or more
elderly horses, ponies and donkeys most of which are in their 20s or
older.
"Routine post mortem on these elderly animals
invariably indicates degrees of pituitary gland change associated with
similarly variable degrees of Cushings disease and metabolic syndrome.
We attempt dietary control and careful foot management and it is
difficult to quantify the effect this has in prevention. We certainly
see a significant incidence and adopt a protocol for first aid
treatment at the slightest hint of onset.
"Horses that we know
to be especially susceptible to a seasonal dietary trigger are also
given the prophylactic oral virginiamycin imported under DEFRA licence
from Australia (Founderguard) which usually allows them to lead a
fairly normal life when euthanasia would otherwise be almost
inevitable.
"Research funding and welfare campaigning are our
core activities these days and one of the reasons we changed our name.
The Home of Rest for Horses (the oldest horse welfare organisation in
the World) continues as the cornerstone of our operation and exists
primarily to demonstrate responsible ownership with all its pitfalls
and costs," he added.
