Evaluation of the patients admitted with laminitis to the Ambulatory Clinic of Utrecht University

Abstract

Laminitis is a disease of the laminae in the hoof. Various predisposing factors can play a part in the development of laminitis. For example laminitis can be caused by carbohydrate overload, endotoxemia due to colitis or retained placenta, excessive unilateral weight-bearing due to lameness on the contralateral leg, PPID and EMS. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the patients admitted to the ambulatory clinic of Utrecht University between 2003 and 2013. This evaluation provides more information about the risk factors and underlying causes of laminitis in an ambulatory clinic.

Data was collected by analysing the case histories of the patients diagnosed with laminitis (n=365) and all patients of the Ambulatory Clinic of Utrecht University (n=10143). Data used in this study consist of: age, gender, breed, species and reported underlying cause.

Ponies and mares were at significantly higher risk of developing laminitis (P<0,05) compared to the total admitted population. 41% of the patients admitted with laminitis were diagnosed with an underlying endocrinopathy. 25% of these diagnoses were confirmed by blood tests. Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) was most commonly differentially diagnosed in young horses (peak at category 11 up to 15 years) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in older horses (peak at category 21+ years).

Blood testing for PPID and EMS should be encouraged. From the 59% of the laminitic patients with unknown underlying cause, probably some patients do suffer from PPID or EMS and therefore these groups can be underestimated.