Boehringer Research Highlights Gap In Owners’ Laminitis Knowledge

Recent research¹ by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has revealed that over three-quarters of horse owners believe that laminitis in the spring is most commonly caused by access to lush pasture, especially if the horse or pony is overweight. Only 10% of owners questioned for the research correctly identified that access to lush pasture on its own is unlikely to cause laminitis, without the presence of an underlying endocrinopathy. In response to these findings, Boehringer has launched the ‘Talk About Laminitis’ initiative to help raise awareness of endocrinopathic laminitis amongst horse owners, and identify the 90% of laminitis cases that are the result of an underlying endocrinopathic condition2,3 namely PPID or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). During the campaign, which runs throughout April and May, Boehringer is teaming up with the Liphook Equine Hospital laboratory to provide free laboratory fees for ACTH blood tests to detect PPID. To participate in the scheme, veterinary surgeons can download a voucher from www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk. Simply attach the voucher to the ACTH sample submission form, and the ACTH laboratory fees will be free of charge. Printed client information on laminitis is also available from the company, and an extensive consumer press campaign will promote the initiative to horse owners. “We have a real challenge as equine clinicians to make sure we are providing horse owners with long term education on the real causes of laminitis," says Andy Durham of the Liphook Equine Hospital. “If you are not checking for PPID and EMS in horses and ponies with laminitis, you are not getting to the real cause of the problem." “The ACTH tests will help assist in the early detection of horses and ponies with endocrinopathic laminitis and facilitate a clear diagnosis which means that the laminitis will be treated appropriately and future painful episodes avoided,” adds Liz Barrett, equine brand and technical manager at Boehringer. The launch of the ‘Talk About Laminitis’ initiative follows the enormous success of ‘Talk about Cushing’s’ last autumn, which saw nearly 1,000 horses and ponies being tested for PPID, approximately 75% of which were found to be suffering from the disease. For further information on Talk About Laminitis or Prascend®, the first licensed product for the treatment of PPID, please visit www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk, contact your Boehringer territory manager or call 01344 746959. ReferencesBoehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica horse owner survey (n=222), January 2012Karikoski et al. (2011). The prevalence of endocrinopathic laminitis among horses presented for laminitis at a first-opinion/referral equine hospital. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 41 111–117Donaldson et al. (2004). Evaluation of suspected pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses with laminitis. J Am Vet Med Assoc;224:1123–1127.

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