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Laminitis, also known as "Fever in the Feet" usually affects the front feet and ponies are more susceptible than horses. Inflammation occurs in the inside lining of the foot and heat can be felt, especially around the front and the pony moves with short pottering steps and is unwilling to put weight on the front feet. In extreme cases the pony may be unwilling to move at all. The pony may also have a temperature and increased pulse and respiration rate. Rings may also form around the wall of the hoof and in extreme cases the coffin bone within the hoof wall may penetrate the sole of the foot.
The most common causes are excessive feeding and excessive trotting on hard surfaces and many ponies suffer as a result of the lush spring grass. Other conditions increase the risk of laminitis such as cancer of the pituarity gland, toxemia, extreme lameness and the use of corticosteriods. However, sometimes there may be no obvious cause. Although not all cases are preventable, not allowing ponies to become overweight, restriction of lush grass and regular foot care will all reduce the risk of laminitis.
Veterinary advice should be sought immediately. Whilst waiting for the vet, if possible to move the pony, it should be placed in a stable with deep bedding and not be fed. In severe cases the pony should not be moved. Laminitis weakens or destroys the laminae between the coffin bone and the hoof wall and so there is no cure but treatment can ease the condition. X-rays of the feet, particularly as the laminitis progresses, allows the movement of the coffin bone to be monitored. Treatment may involve removing the shoes, cutting down the feet, hose-piping the feet, reduction of feed, limiting grazing, and exercising on grass to encourage blood circulation within the feet. Anti-histamine or cortisone drugs may also be administered to provide relief. In very severe cases euthanasia may need to be considered.
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