Translating research into practice: Adoption of endocrine diagnostic testing in cases of equine laminitis.
Authors: Ireland J L, McGowan C M
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Endocrine Diagnostic Testing in Equine Laminitis Over the past two decades, research establishing insulin's central role in endocrinopathic laminitis has fundamentally shifted our understanding of the disease, yet Ireland and McGowan's 2021 survey reveals whether this evidence has genuinely translated into clinical practice across UK equine veterinary medicine. Two cross-sectional questionnaires involving 141 and 120 equine veterinary surgeons respectively assessed their diagnostic protocols for laminitis, changes since graduation, and perceived clinical outcomes when endocrinopathies were identified. The findings are encouraging: 99% of respondents now incorporate endocrine diagnostic testing into their laminitis investigations, with 88.7% reporting that they have actively increased their use of such tests since graduating—a median of 8 years prior. Among practitioners who diagnosed endocrine disease, at least 76% reported that identifying underlying conditions substantially altered their case management approach, 75% found the diagnosis improved client communication about the condition, and ≥67% observed that treating the identified endocrinopathy effectively reduced the frequency of recurrent laminitis episodes. For farriers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and coaches collaborating with veterinary teams, this widespread adoption of endocrine screening represents a critical shift in how laminitis cases are now being managed: identifying and addressing insulin dysregulation or other endocrinopathies from the outset should increasingly underpin preventative strategies, therapeutic planning, and realistic expectations for long-term outcome.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Endocrine testing for laminitis cases is now standard practice among UK equine veterinarians; ensure your veterinarian performs appropriate screening (insulin, glucose, ACTH levels) at initial and follow-up examinations.
- •If your horse is diagnosed with an underlying endocrine condition (PPID, EMS), targeted treatment of the endocrinopathy significantly reduces the risk of recurrent laminitis episodes.
- •Clear communication with your veterinarian about endocrine test results and their management implications can improve both case outcomes and your understanding of long-term hoof care strategies.
Key Findings
- •99% of surveyed UK equine veterinarians perform endocrine diagnostic testing for laminitis cases, indicating near-universal adoption of research findings into clinical practice.
- •88.7% of respondents reported increasing their use of endocrine testing since graduation, demonstrating significant change in diagnostic approach over time.
- •75% of veterinarians reported that diagnosing underlying endocrinopathy facilitated client communication about laminitis management and outcomes.
- •≥67% of practitioners considered that treating identified endocrinopathies was effective in reducing recurrent laminitis episodes.