Equine laminitis of alimentary origin: an experimental model
Garner, H.E.; Coffman, J.R.; Hahn, A.W.; Hutcheson, D.P.; Tumbleson, M.E.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 36(4 Part 1): 441-444
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 1124880 Document Number: 91725
Acute laminitis was uniformly induced in 11 of 12 horses by administration (by stomach tube) of a starch and wood-flour gruel, and could be graded by various criteria. It was similar to naturally occurring laminitis in the of lameness severity and vital signs. Packed cell volume, leucocyte count, and total protein were increased 24 and 40 hours after administration of gruel. Arterial systolic and diastolic pressures increased, central venous pressure decreased, heart rate increased, and rectal temperature increased consistently within the 56-hour experimental period. Of the 11 affected horses, seven horses had 'Obel grade 3' lameness (horse moved most reluctantly and vigorously resisted attempts to lift a forefoot) at 40 hours after gruel was placed in the alimentary tract, two horses had this type of lameness at 32 hours, and two horses had it at 48 hours.