Strong Digital Pulse Without Laminitis

Think of it as feeling your pulse on your wrist.

Strong digital pulse without laminitis. By the the time the symptoms appeared it was too late. Pain in the toe region when pressure is applied with hoof testers. A strong bounding digital pulse. Normally the pulse here is faint almost undetectable.

Stronger pulses indicate inflammation and or pain. An unusually strong digital pulse in multiple legs may indicate early laminitis. Find it at the pastern just below the outer side of the fetlock joint. Heat or excitement will increase the pulse everywhere the digital pulse isn t isolated from the rest of the circulatory system.

It is telling you that your horse may have a health issue. Heat in the feet. A strong pulse indicates inflammation and a bounding pulse in both front feet is often the first sign of laminitis. Heat in the hoof another sign of inflammation.

If the pulse seems stronger than normal make sure to check a few times before assuming something is wrong. He foundered days later after being pulled off grass bute magic cushion deeply bedded stall etc. Keep an eye on the shape of your horse s hoof. Slightly stronger is not as alarming as very strong.

I just lost one to laminitis with no symptoms. You can think of your horse s digital pulses as a piece of a bigger picture. Laminitis will cause a hoof to look more dis shapeed. A strong digital pulse can indicate other foot pain as well but a bounding digital pulse in both feet is a major clue that laminitis is to blame.

Lameness especially when a horse is turning in circles. Signs of acute laminitis include the following. An unusually strong digital pulse in one leg may indicate an abscess or bruise. A hoof that s hot for hours.

Pulses do occur in horses without laminitis it s all about what s normal for your horse. It could be that your horse gets very excited at the thought of her morning feed and gets her pulse up in anticipation. You should be aware of what your horse s digital pulse feels like so if it is off or feeling like its pulsing harder it could be a sign of laminitis in that foot. A bounding equine digital pulse is a red flag.

Unwilling to walk or pick feet up shifting weight from foot to foot paddling strong digital pulse slightly increased heart and respiration rate likely still eating to total refusal to move or pick up feet lying down a lot heart rate may be over 80 bpm respiration rate may be over 60 breaths min sweating muscles rock hard ck ast. Prompt treatment can improve your horse s prognosis. Change in hoof shape.