Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Maggot therapy to treat chronic laminitis hoof infections
By Morrison, Scott·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice·2010·Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Maggot debridement therapy for laminitis.
Plain-English summary
A horse with chronic laminitis (a painful hoof condition) was treated using maggot debridement therapy, which involves using live maggots to clean infected tissue in the hoof. This method is gentle and helps promote healing without causing additional trauma. The horse showed improvement, as this therapy effectively removed dead tissue and supported recovery. Side effects were minimal, with only some irritation noted at the treatment site.
People also search for: horse laminitis treatment · maggot therapy for hoof infection · chronic laminitis healing methods
Abstract
Maggot debridement therapy is a nontraumatic, minimally invasive method to treat infections in a foot compromised by chronic laminitis. A mechanical strategy must first be in place to address the instability of the distal phalanx and hoof capsule. Adverse reactions to maggot debridement therapy are uncommon and the only side effect observed has been irritation or hypersensitivity at the site. Chronic laminitic cases of sepsis/necrosis within the hoof benefit from this procedure due to the noninvasive, continuous debridement and healing properties provided by the larvae.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20699186/