Boehringer Ingelheim’s hugely successful ‘Talk About Laminitis’ initiative is back this Spring

Last year, Boehringer Ingelheim’s ‘Talk About Laminitis’ disease awareness initiative saw over 9000 horses and ponies tested for PPID through its free ACTH test scheme. This year, to build on this phenomenal success and support the testing of even more animals, the company has announced a high impact, co-ordinated campaign to drive awareness that up to 90% of laminitis cases may have an underlying endocrine cause. Also this year there will also be even more owner-facing disease awareness activity. 

‘Talk About Laminitis’, which is backed by Redwings, The British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare, will run from mid March until the end of June, and Boehringer Ingelheim is again urging veterinary surgeons to carry out free ACTH blood tests on laminitic or foot-sore horses.

‘We are learning so much from these tests,’ said Professor Andy Durham from the Liphook Equine Hospital, where the ACTH tests are performed. ‘For example, we are now recognising PPID routinely in laminitic horses and ponies as young as 10 years old, and in the spring when we might expect to see more EMS cases, where veterinary surgeons have also tested for PPID we are seeing both abnormally elevated ACTH and insulin. Unless the PPID is addressed, horses will continue to be at risk of painful recurrent laminitic episodes which is a significant welfare issue to the horse and extremely frustrating for owners.’

To participate in the scheme, veterinary surgeons and horse owners can download ACTH blood test vouchers from www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk.  Simply attach the voucher to the ACTH sample submission form and the ACTH laboratory fees will not be charged. This testing scheme represents the significant commitment Boehringer Ingelheim has made to ensuring that the underlying cause of laminitis can be correctly diagnosed in all cases.

Commenting on this, Lee Hackett from The British Horse Society says: ‘Without the ‘Talk About Laminitis’ initiative and the support of Boehringer Ingelheim, literally thousands of horses may not be receiving the appropriate treatment and management for their laminitis to help prevent recurrence.  We hope as many veterinary surgeons as possible get involved this year to continue this welfare success.’

There will be a live online broadcast for horse owners on endocrinopathic laminitis presented by David Rendle BVSc MVM CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM MRCVS, from the Liphook Equine Hospital in Hampshire. The one-hour webinar, which takes place at 8.00pm on Wednesday April 10, will educate horse owners on how the veterinary profession’s understanding of this debilitating and devastating disease has been completely revolutionised over the past five years.  It will be followed by an interactive Q&A session when viewers will be able to pose questions for David to answer. 

‘As our knowledge of the two hormonal diseases responsible for the majority of cases of laminitis improves, veterinary surgeons can offer their clients more comprehensive advice on treatment options to prevent laminitis. For many owners who have struggled with this condition, this is an absolute revelation and has enormous welfare benefits,’ said David Rendle. 

Vets can suggest that horse owners register online to view the programme by visiting www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk.

To ensure that veterinary surgeons are versed in the most up to date research available, Boehringer Ingelheim will also be hosting a webinar for veterinary professionals at 8.00pm on Wednesday March 13, presented by Professor Andy Durham BSc BVSc CertEP DEIM DipECEIM MRCVS.  The online seminar, ‘The laminitis revolution…. An update on our understanding of endocrinopathic causes of laminitis’, will entitle the viewer to a downloadable certificate for one hour of CPD. To register, visit www.bi-academy.co.uk. Places are limited, so register early to avoid disappointment.  The webinar will also be available to view after the event on demand.