LAMINITIS IN A QUARTER HORSE MARE: CASE REPORT

Abstract

 Laminitis is an inflammatory hoof condition with a multifactorial etiology, representing one of the main causes of lameness and impaired welfare in horses. This work aims to report a case of chronic laminitis in a Quarter Horse mare treated in Pimenta Bueno, Rondônia, detailing the diagnostic approach, the instituted therapeutic protocol, and the clinical evolution. The diagnosis was established based on clinical signs – lameness, pain upon hoof tester application, hyperthermia, and increased digital pulse – and confirmed by radiographic examination, which revealed rotation and sinking of the distal phalanx. The treatment adopted a multimodal approach, including systemic drug therapy with a selective COX-2 anti-inflammatory, pentoxifylline, antibiotic therapy, and nutritional supplementation aimed at hoof recovery, associated with local interventions such as cryotherapy, use of an orthopedic boot, and corrective hoof trimming. The discussion correlates the adopted procedures with the current literature, emphasizing the rationale for integrated management. The animal showed significant clinical improvement within 15 days, with functional return after one year, although mild lameness persists under exertion. It is concluded that the successful management of chronic laminitis depends on early diagnosis and a comprehensive therapeutic protocol that combines systemic control with local orthopedic correction, with continuous monitoring being essential for maintaining the animal's quality of life.