I started writing this blog because of an illness of MamaTess’.
Four years ago, she suffered from Canker so badly that after a year of surgeries and treatments by specialists, I was told there was nothing more we could do.
With nothing to lose, I tried a remedy created by a farrier – made from a jungle tree sap.
The wonderful farrier sent his concoction overnight to me.
Within 3 days she was better. Within 2 weeks, she was cured.
–Because so many other owners had gone through what I went through, I decided to write about it.
Thus begat HORSE AND MAN, the blog.
Here is that original post.
It has helped many, many owners… That farrier ships his ‘Purple Mush’ Equine Canker Cure around the world now.
I HOPE THIS IS ANOTHER CASE OF TESS HELPING ME HELP YOU.
Right now, Tess is suffering with laminitis.
Nothing is really working and her laminitis is worsening.
Light laminitis has happened to Tess every time she was pregnant (6) and a few Springs (maybe 3).
Usually, I notice right away – like I did this time – I put her in a heavily bedded stall, ice/pad her feet, give her a double dose of Banamine and Anti-Flam and she is on the road to recovery.
Not this time.
I am beginning to worry – but I know that isn’t good for either of us.
What I have to do is search far and wide – I have to do my best for the both of us.
Yesterday she would walk from one end of the barn to the other… Not today.
REGUMATE-?
My vet thought this Spring’s bout of laminitis might be tied to her cycle. So, we gave her Regumate to stop the madness.
It seemed to work – a bit.
But, I have since found myself having to dose her heavily with the Regumate every 6 hours. And it doesn’t make her sound. It just makes her less ouchy.
I think…
I’m actually not sure. Sometimes it seems to work and other times it doesn’t seem to work.
Very confusing…
Banamine doesn’t seem to be working.
Bute doesn’t seem to be working.
Nothing seems to be working (ice, pads, supplements) – except the very heavy doses of Regumate – maybe.
NEXT IDEAS
Now I’m scrambling. I know I’m running against the clock. I know I have to stop this NOW.
I’ve emailed Dr. Reilly at Equine Medical and Surgical Associates to see if there are any new drugs that I can try.
I’m also going to let Tess use my ArcEquine. The owner of the company says that they have had success with laminits.
So, I am charging my kit now.
Onward!
HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!
Dawn, I think you know about them already, but I had great luck with For Love of The Horse Dr Thomas
Hi Dawn,
I have an 8 year old BLM mustang mare who started with some laminitis in January this year….vet came out and really just her front feet affected….slight case. I had to stop feeding her carrots, safe choice, no three way, no more alfalfa…just back to the basics…bermuda grass, some orchard (but can be high in sugars). it is the sugar issue….just recently her right front sole was SUPER soft and sore. Had pads and shoes put on to get weight off and get sole hardened up….
She is also on Hemo Flo (Platinum Performance) and bute twice a day for pain….
Someone also just recommended JFlex to me…for joint health etc.
The hardest part is figuring out where and why and how to solve this…..she is too young to have these issues but it was the sugars that created the problem…..I found a great article on laminitis and sugars/insulin issues
She had to lose a few pounds and now that i have cut out the excess sugars and given her just the grasses…it has helped but she still has a ways to go.
Laminitis Update ……www.hoofrehab.com
The laminie are complicated little things BUT CRUCIAL for our horses….
I wish you luch with Tess on this….i know how difficult this path is and i know we will not give up on our charges….our babies…our girls (and the boys)
:) Kim
If you want to make her more comfortable, immediately, without adding more meds – get her the SoftRide boots with the inserts specifically for laminitis. The relief is immediate for them. They ship very quickly. Can you imagine having sore feet and having to stand on hard ground, then being able to put a cushy pair of shoes on?
I’ve got nothing of value to add about what is triggering her episodes, I hope you are able to figure something out and wish you and Tess the very best of luck!
My pony had an episode in the middle of the winter with absolutely no change in environment or feed – have no clue what triggered it!
He also seems to improve a bit on Previcoxx, although not as much as putting his SoftRide boots on. I use them both when needed and he will trot and canter around so appears quite comfortable.
Dear Dawn, it breaks my heart to read about your sweet Tess and her most recent bout of laminitis. I would urge you to consider joining the Equine Cushings/Insulin Resistance discussion forum as quickly as you can:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/
This discussion forum, with 11,000 members, has become the largest field testing database in the world. We recently received our 501(c)3 status, too, which will enable us to keep doing research and educational outreach to help as many owners and horses as possible. I’ve been testing hay in our region for years and then balancing minerals to what is missing in the hay as a basis for controlling my horses’ insulin resistance. I’m lucky to have two! Of course, low-starch and sugar hay is important, along with low-iron, but it was the minerals, in the correct ratios and balanced to the hay I was soaking, that brought my mare’s insulin out of the dangerous area and preventing her tipping into laminitis.
Better yet, you could have a consult with Eleanor Kellon, VMD, co-founder of this group to help Tess. She can be reached at:
drkellon.com
and it will be worth every cent (ask me how I know!). She will be speaking at the NO Laminitis! Conference here in Oregon in late September, and will be discussing new information: “Insulin Resistance in Mares. Reproductive hormone and ovarian abnormalities in mares with refractory Insulin Resistance. Review of treatments found to be effective in a 5-year study.” Information on the conference can be found here:
http://www.nolaminitis.org/
Registration will open up in a few weeks and I’d love to see you there!
We’re on Facebook, too: ECIR Group – Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance
Wishing you and Tess all the best,
Jannalee in Oregon
Mama Tess, what is it girlie, what is ailing you? Send mama Dawn a psychic message, how to help.
Praying to St Francis of Assisi for you.
Keep your chin up Dawn, as you search for a cure.
How fortunate are all the creatures in your loving care.
could it possibly be EMS?
We have a pony in our rescue (half shetland, half mini) who has been going up and down with laminitis since January. Trying to figure out what is setting him off is crazy-making! We are trying everything and yes, he’s on Prasend (pergolide) and was on previcox (not working great, trying bute instead now with gastrogard). Anyway, a couple of things that have seemed to help: Accupressure. Soaking and drying his hay before feeding (Grass hay has lots of sugars- some of them are removed this way). We got him some Soft-Ride boots- they have soft inserts. Those made him a lot more comfortable. He is wearing them on all 4.
It sure is a challenge!
Best wishes on getting Tess comfortable and happy.
I have a mare that gets laminitis every fall almost exactly on the same date every year. She takes thyroid meds, Prescend, wears a grazing muzzle. Last fall for the first time it went to both back feet. I have an excellent vet that tried everything. She was not responding and was in so much pain I was ready to have her euthanized. My vet gave her a dose of DMSO in an IV for two days. She seemed to respond after that. It was a long recovery, the barn and surrounding area smelled like garlic for a few days and I had a huge vet bill but I have my girl. Good Luck with Tess.