Revised:  11/12/2009

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Contact: Dr. Janet Onishi 732-932-9711 ext. 286 onishi@aesop.rutgers.edu

Seeking New Jersey Horse Owners Interested in Supporting Laminitis Research
for a
Study Approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Rutgers University

Study Purpose

Laminitis is a debilitating inflammatory disease that may impair or destroy the normal physical functions of a horse. Although numerous treatment strategies are available, they are not always effective and the disease continues to be a serious health concern for horses and their owners. Further laminitis research is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease. This study investigates the hypothesis that microbes play a different role in the development of laminitis than has been previously thought. Our hope is that the research leads to new ways to improve the health of all horses.

Study Approach

The chronically laminitic horse suffers repeated bouts of hoof inflammation followed by periods of relative normal health and function. In this study we plan to collect tissue from both naturally chronically laminitic horses and from a control group of non-laminitic horses to determine their respective microbial profiles. Horses enrolled in this study will be those for which the owner and private veterinarian have determined that, given the condition and prognosis of the horse, elective euthanasia is the best alternative available. All horses participating in the study will be humanely euthanized by a board certified equine veterinarian. Laminitis will not be experimentally induced.

Support of the Study

The study requires donation of both non-laminitic and chronically laminitic horses to the University for tissue collection. The selection of animals for enrollment in the study will be made by the Principal Investigators in consultation with the attending veterinarian after review of the animal’s medical history.

End-of-life decisions are made for numerous equine conditions; some are excluded from this study. The University shall transport donated animals to its research facility at no cost to the owner. The donated animal will become the property of the University at the time of the donation. All further expense related to the animal will be the responsibility of the University. No animal that is too unhealthy to be transported or that requires immediate veterinary care is eligible for the study. A donor may claim the donation a tax deductable gift to the University, but the University cannot provide an estimate of the value of the donation.

Since all donated horses will be humanely euthanized shortly after the University takes possession of them, the University must have confirmation not only from the donor/owner, but also from the veterinarian familiar with the horse’s condition that euthanasia is the recommended treatment for this horse. We stress that donated animals will be treated humanely and in accordance with the Rutgers Animal Care and Use Committee. For information, please ask your equine veterinarian to contact Dr. Janet Onishi or Dr. Michael Fugaro (1-732-932-9711 ext. 286) or Dr. Onishi at onishi@aesop.rutgers.edu .

Additional Information

The investigators on this project are Janet Onishi, PhD, Michael Fennell, PhD and Michael Fugaro, VMD, DACVS. All have received training and approval from the University’s Animal Care and Use Committee to work directly with the animals selected for use in the study. All investigators will treat the animals with respect and dignity; no animal will be allowed to suffer in pain and all animals will be monitored for distress by experts in horse care. Animals will be provided pain medication if needed prior to the procedure which will occur within 24hr of arrival at the University. In an effort to reduce the number of animals used in laminitis research, we are currently developing ways to work with academic research institutions to share tissue procurement.

The Rutgers Current Study Enrollment Terminates March, 2010