Early in the first (American) book, ACGAS, Siegfried is showing James around and shows him the "armory". Siegfried says there's nothing like a good bloodletting for laminitis.
So googled laminitis bloodletting and one of the items that came up had this information:
Laminitis
Department of clinical study
College of veterinary medicine /KFU
Dr.M.Racin Abdin-Bey
Laminitis
Laminitis is an aseptic necrosis involving the sensitive laminae which are connected with the hoof wall.
Pododermatitis acuta diffusa aseptica
Laminitis
ETIOLOGY
the capillary blood supply of the hoof is the target organ for endotoxine which is released as a result of many causes:
carbohydrate overload ( grain/spring pasture)
postfoaling metritis
other possible causes : overdose of steroids, toxicity with chemical agents . . .etc..
Laminitis
Predisposing factors
• Hoof as a nonexpandable structure
• the change of blood flow
• favor the release of prostaglandin (end mediator of endotoxine)
• increase of arteriovenous anastomosis
• loss of blood supply to the laminae causing necrosis of the laminae
Laminitis
Clinical findings and diagnosis
All feet can be involved
unable to move,
typical stand (sawhorse).
increased rate and amplitude of the digital pulse
rotation of the pedal bone (distal phalanx) may occur and its dorsal part may protrude through the sole of the foot
Laminitis
Treatment
2 - 4 lt. of paraffin oil
blood letting of 5 - 8 liters this releases the pressure in the hoof capsule
prostaglandin synth. inhibitor (Finadyn)
hoof shoe with elevation of the heel
where metritis the possible cause is, treatment of the primary cause is started
In the story, horse eats a load of oats (as I recall) causing a carb overload, increased blood flow from the reaction, causing a problem in the feet as the hooves don't expand. Letting out blood reduces pressure/flow, feet recover.
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