Equine laminitis: Managing pain in the foot

Laminitis is a devastating disease of the equine digit that is challenging to manage for even the experience veterinarian. Selected diagnostics such as survey radiographs and venography will be discussed followed by preventions/management for both sepsis-related and endocrinopathic-related laminitis.

This session originally was presented at AVMA Convention 2024.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to assess survey radiographs in cases of equine laminitis
• Learn how to perform and assess venograms in cases of equine laminitis
• Develop management plan for horses with or at risk of developing sepsis-related laminitis

Dr. Britta Leise is originally from Mechanicsville, Virginia. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech in Animal Science followed by Master’s in Equine Reproductive Endocrinology from Louisiana State University.  Dr. Leise obtained her DVM in 2002 from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.  After completing an internship at the University of Georgia in large animal medicine and surgery and returned to Baton Rouge where she completed residency training in equine surgery.  Dr. Leise became a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2008.  In 2010 she graduated with PhD in Comparative and Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.  Her dissertation involved determining the role of inflammation and functions of the epithelial cell in the development of equine laminitis.  She is currently an Associate Professor of Equine Surgery and Lameness at Louisiana State University where she divides her time between clinics and research.  Dr. Leise’s research interest involves the study of various inflammatory processes in horse, including laminitis, sepsis/SIRS, wound healing and osteoarthritis.