Laminitis - The DALLMER method of raising the heels
Definition:
Laminitis is a widespread, non-purulent inflammation of the laminar corium that affects any hoof, but is usually more pronounced on the front hooves.
The horse has bouts of heavy sweating, muscular trembling and a stiff body posture with a painfully bent back. The horse stands with its front legs far forward. As soon as laminitis occurs, the veterinarian must begin therapy without delay. If the DALLMER Rehe-Clog is not readily available, any shoes on the horse should initially be left in place, but the shoe nails in the toe must be removed and a 3-cm wooden wedge glued under the horseshoe to raise the heels.Important: The DALLMER method of laminitis treatment dispenses with lowering the heels; on the contrary, the heels are raised. As soon as possible, remove the old horseshoes and nails from the hooves and fit the buckle-on Rehe-Clog or adhesive Cuff with a convex wedge to reduce tension from the deep flexor tendon and transfer the load into regions of the vascular system and laminar corium in the heels and bars that are less affected by the ailment.
Pad the arch of the sole with extra durable elastic materials, and cut back the toe region by approx. 2-3 cm to protect the tip of the sensitive distal phalanx. These measures provide immediate, significant pain relief visible in a change of posture adopted by the patient. Raising the heels improves circulation in the stricken parts of the laminar corium.As soon as a functional improvement is apparent, you can gradually lower the wedges to counter tendon shortening. A DALLMER Cuff with egg bar shoe can be fitted to prevent excessive stretching in the coffin joint during propulsion. If after a few weeks the acute symptoms of laminitis have disappeared, you must now concentrate on correcting the deformed horny box to restore parallelism between the horny wall and the contour of the distal phalanx. Should the patient tend to lie down a lot during the early phase of the ailment, do not discourage it. Do not administer any pain relieving medication!!! Orthopaedic therapy consisting of wedging the heels in conjunction with sole protection using the DALLMER Cuff with various convex plastic platforms provides the following benefits: 1. In comparison with other methods of orthopaedic therapy, the general condition of the patient improves more rapidly and is readily recognizable in a change in posture when standing.2. The measures documented in this chapter alleviate the course of the disorder to such an extent that an early start can be made on a well-dosed programme of exercise to support the healing process.3. In addition to this, the danger of complications is decidedly diminished. Even in the case of severe distal phalanx rotation, there is either no or relatively little deformation of the tip of the distal phalanx or the rim of the sole. Laminitis therapy is not always crowned with success, because extent and intensity of the ailment vary greatly.
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