James K. Belknap, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS, is Professor of Equine Surgery in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He runs a research laboratory studying the pathophysiology of equine laminitis, and works closely with the Certified Journeyman Farrier, Todd Adams, on podiatry cases including equine laminitis cases.

Contributors vii

Foreword x

Abbreviations xii

Part 1: Overview: From Basic Research to Caring for the Laminitis Patient

1 Historical Perspective on Equine Laminitis 3
Donald M. Walsh and Teresa A. Burns

2 Laminitis: An Overview 11
James K. Belknap

3 Anatomy and Function of the Equine Digit 13
A.H. Parks

4 Lamellar Function at the Cellular Level 22
Christopher C. Pollitt

5 Digital Biomechanics Relevant to Laminitis 39
Jonathan Merritt, Helen Davies and Andrew H. Parks

Part 2: Pathophysiology of Laminitis

6 Overview 51
James K. Belknap

7 Experimental Models of Laminitis: Starch Overload 54
Susan C. Eades

8 Experimental Models of Laminitis: Oligofructose Overload 59
Christopher C. Pollitt and Gabriel J. Milinovich

9 Experimental Models of Laminitis: Black Walnut Extract 64
John F. Peroni

10 Experimental Models of Laminitis: Hyperinsulinemia 68
Catherine McGowan and Janet Patterson-Kane

11 Hemodynamic Events in Laminitis 75
John F. Peroni, Susan C. Eades and Simon R. Bailey

12 The Role of Thrombosis and Coagulation in Equine Laminitis 82
Simon R. Bailey

13 Leukocytes and Inflammatory Signaling in Laminitis: Leukocytes 91
Rafael R. Faleiros and James K. Belknap

14 Leukocytes and Inflammatory Signaling in Laminitis: Inflammatory Signaling 102
Britta Leise

15 Role of Proteases in Laminitis 115
Samuel J. Black, Le Wang, Erica Pawlak, Fengqiu Zhang, John Loftus and Dominique Alfandari

16 Endocrine and Metabolic Dysregulation in Laminitis: Role of Pituitary Dysfunction 134
Philip J. Johnson

17 Endocrine and Metabolic Dysregulation in Laminitis: Role of Corticosteroids 141
Philip J. Johnson

18 Metabolic Syndrome in Humans and Horses: The Relationship Between Obesity and Insulin Resistance 149
Teresa A. Burns and Ramiro E. Toribio

19 Dysregulation of the Lamellar Basal Epithelial Cell in Laminitis: Role of the Cytoskeleton and Cell Junctions 167
Christopher C. Pollitt

20 Structural Dynamics of Displacement of the Distal Phalanx 176
Andrew H. Parks

Part 3: Clinical Presentation of Equine Laminitis

21 General Clinical Aspects of the Laminitis Case 183
Andrew van Eps

22 Sepsis-Related Laminitis 191
Susan C. Eades

23 Laminitis in Equine Metabolic Syndrome 196
Andy E. Durham

24 Laminitis in Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction 204
Philip J. Johnson

25 Supporting Limb Laminitis 210
Gary M. Baxter

Part 4: Diagnostic Evaluation of Equine Laminitis

26 Detailed Physical Examination for Laminitis 217
Richard A. Mansmann and Hans H. Castelijns

27 Diagnostic Imaging 226
Andrew H. Parks and James K. Belknap

28 The Digital Venogram 240
Amy Rucker

29 Endocrine and Metabolic Evaluation in Horses with Laminitis 252
Ramiro E. Toribio and Teresa A. Burns

Part 5: Medical Treatment of the Laminitic Patient

30 General Supportive Care for the Laminitis Case 269
Andrea E. Floyd and Debra R. Taylor

31 Common Therapies: Anti-Inflammatory Therapy 277
Thomas J. Divers

32 Vasoactive Drug Therapy 284
Simon R. Bailey and Susan C. Eades

33 Analgesia 291
Bernd Driessen and Laura Zarucco

34 Digital Hypothermia 306
Andrew W. van Eps and Christopher C. Pollitt

35 Equine Sepsis 316
Samuel D. Hurcombe and Susan J. Holcombe

36 Equine Metabolic Syndrome 329
Andy E. Durham

37 Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction 334
Dianne Mcfarlane, Philip J. Johnson and Harold C. Schott, II

Part 6: Treatment of Laminitis: Digital Support and Stabilization of the Distal Phalanx

38 Therapeutic Shoes: Application of Principles 343
Stephen E. O'Grady

39 Solear Support Techniques 354
Raul J. Bras

40 Approaching Digital Management Prior to Displacement of the Distal Phalanx 360
Randy B. Eggleston

41 Hoof Care Management of Horses with Displacement of the Distal Phalanx 364
Andrew H. Parks

Part 7: Treatment of the Laminitis Case

42 The Use of Casts in Equine Laminitis 377
James K. Belknap and Raul J. Bras

43 Deep Digital Flexor Tenotomy 382
R. Wayne Waguespack, Jr

44 Dorsal Hoof Wall Techniques 391
Amy Rucker

45 Complications of Laminitis 402
Robert J. Hunt and James K. Belknap

Part 8: Management of Chronic Laminitis

46 Management Changes in the Laminitis Case 413
Andrew Van Eps, Robert J. Hunt, James K. Belknap and Jeff Ridley

Part 9: Prevention of Laminitis

47 Overview of Laminitis Prevention 423
James K. Belknap and Andy E. Durham

48 Prevention of Supporting Limb Laminitis 427
Harry J. Markwell and Gary M. Baxter

49 Prevention of Sepsis-Related Laminitis 432
Samuel D. Hurcombe and Susan J. Holcombe

50 Nutritional Management for Avoidance of Pasture-Associated Laminitis 436
Pat Harris

Glossary 442

Index 445