Our Research
Laminitis occurs as a consequence of different primary problems in the horse and can be divided into three main categories based on cause.
1. Endocrinopathic (hyperinsulinemia-associated) laminitis
Excess insulin in the blood directly affects the lamellae of the horse foot, disturbing lamellar epidermal cell cytoskeletal structure, adhesion dynamics and death/proliferation rates in this normally quiescent tissue.
Our research in this area focuses on:
- The pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of insulin dysregulation in horses
- The mechanisms of action of insulin on the lamellae
2. Sepsis-related laminitis
Diseases such as colitis, pneumonia, metritis can lead to acute laminitis, particularly when there is a component of endotoxemia.
Our research in this area focuses on:
- The pathophysiology, which has many similarities to end organ dysfunction in human sepsis including acute lung injury
- Prevention and early treatment using therapeutic regional hypothermia (cryotherapy)
3. Supporting-limb laminitis
Laminitis is a common and devastating complication of painful limb conditions like fractures that alter weight bearing patterns. In these cases it primarily affects the opposite (supporting) limb rather than the primarily injured limb.
Our research in this area focuses on:
- Establishing the pathophysiology through in vivo and archived tissue studies
- Early identification of risk using sensor based limb motion analysis
- Developing means of prevention through augmented limb load cycling and perfusion in horses with painful limb injuries
Resources for clinicians and researchers
- We offer researchers a range of endocrine assays including insulin, ACTH, adiponectin, and incretins.
- Download our Guidelines for lamellar tissue harvest and processing (PDF).
- Laminitis discovery database — we have an extensive database and repository of tissue and blood samples that can be utilized for collaborative research, please contact: Andrew van Eps, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM.
Publications
Evaluation of digital radiographic measurements for the diagnosis of acute laminitis. Skelton G, Acutt E, Stefanovski D, van Eps A. Equine Vet J. 2024 Nov 20. doi: 10.1111/evj.14436. Online ahead of print. PMID: 395682992CiteShare
Implementation of a prototype dynamic laryngoplasty system in standing sedated horses provided arytenoid abduction control at seven days postoperatively. Jeong S, Franklin SH, Van Eps AW, Lean N, Ahern B J.Am J Vet Res. 2024 Feb 15;85(4):ajvr.23.11.0256. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.23.11.0256. Print 2024 Apr 1. PMID: 38346389 Free article.3CiteShare
The influence of different horseshoes and ground substrates on mid-stance hoof orientation at the walk. Reilly PT, van Eps A, Stefanovski D, Pfau T. Equine Vet J. 2024 May;56(3):598-606. doi: 10.1111/evj.13990. Epub 2023 Aug 17. PMID: 375893974CiteShare
The effect of pre-dosing with metformin on the insulin response to oral sugar in insulin-dysregulated horses. Colmer SF, Adams AA, Adam E, Miller R, Stefanovski D, Kulp JC, van Eps A. Equine Vet J. 2024 Mar;56(2):318-325. doi: 10.1111/evj.13979. Epub 2023 Aug 6. PMID: 375451285CiteShare
The effects of orally administered trazodone on ambulation and recumbency in healthy horses. Hobbs K, Luethy D, Davis J, Mallicote M, Torcivia C, Kulp J, Stefanovski D, Futterman C, Cooper F, van Eps A. J Vet Intern Med. 2023 Sep-Oct;37(5):1899-1906. doi: 10.1111/jvim.16821. Epub 2023 Jul 25. PMID: 37489582