Hoof Rehab Podiatry and Lameness Center

06/03/2023

Weigh the risks and benefits of various types of boots and wraps before strapping them to your horse’s legs.

06/01/2023

An equine nutritionist describes factors to consider before choosing an oil to feed your horse.

05/27/2023

One veterinarian explains how to manage horse hoof puncture wounds and ensure they heal properly.

04/27/2023

While still quite experimental, we have been utilizing this class of drugs for several months now and have seen good results as long as vigilant monitoring of bloodwork and clinical assessments are performed regularly.

A new class of drugs borrowed from human medicine could prove useful in horses with refractory metabolic disease.

02/25/2023

Movement assymetry is sign of lameness, likely due to discomfort. How much pain does a lame horse experience while standing in the paddock?

11/11/2022

Thank you for your service Veterans

10/24/2022

A veterinarian explains the causes, diagnostic procedures, and possible management strategies for podotrochlosis.

09/09/2022

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2071354946370703&id=332831870223028

09/07/2022

Discover tips for managing horses with insulin resistance, and get your questions answered during the live recording of our podcast.

08/19/2022

Addressing hoof abscesses early can help horses have the best outcome.

08/07/2022

A new study shows that lack of exercise is an important risk factor for insulin dysregulation, and that even light exercise appears to reduce the risk.

08/06/2022

Learn about two different and unrelated processes that present as firm swellings in the horse's pastern region.

06/15/2022

As a follow up to our previous post: when plain radiographs are utilized to evaluate the onset and diagnosis of laminitis, limited information can be gained. If displacement of the coffin bone has not occurred yet, radiographs provide little insight into the current status of the foot.

A venogram, on the other hand, can provide much more information beyond that of hoof-bone relationship. It gives insight into the distribution of venous blood flow, which closely resembles arterial blood flow.

Numerous areas of this image can show deviations from normal that are apparent on a venogram the first day of inflammation. Performing subsequent venograms will show the changes in these areas as they are affected by continuing deterioration or therapeutic intervention.

Serial venograms can be utilized to evaluate the success or failure of the chosen treatment often weeks before any change can be detected on a plain radiograph. However correct interpretation of the information provided is key to successful use of the venogram.

The “advanced notice” provided by serial venograms affords us the opportunity to intervene before massive damage occurs, often allowing us to preserve the architecture of the foot while we treat the cause of the laminitis, thus affording the horse a chance to have a completely normal foot when it’s all over.

Bottom line: radiographs, while helpful, only document the effect laminitis has already had on the foot. Venograms however let us know what’s happening right now and what’s likely to happen so we can make decisions accordingly.

Note: the foot in this image is the same foot in the previous post, on the same day at the same time. This venogram tells us the horse does have laminitis and there is some level of instability in the laminar bond.

06/15/2022

Traditionally, if a horse is suspected to be experiencing laminitis, plain radiographs are taken at initial evaluation to determine if there is rotation/displacement of the coffin bone or other more subtle signs, as well as to compare future images to.

So if that is all one uses to evaluate laminitis, and I told you this horse is experiencing laminitis, what about this radiograph confirms that diagnosis?

Hint: this is a trick question

05/30/2022

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. Let’s all remember those this day honors.

05/28/2022

Capped of a great week full of good cases and learning. A big thank you to Dr. Sammy Pittman for sharing his time and knowledge.

05/24/2022

Scott and I are enjoying the privilege to spend time this week with Dr. Sammy Pittman here in Collinsville, TX at his beautiful Podiatry and Veterinary practice. Looking to bringing a bit of his knowledge back with us to share with our clients.