Methods and compositions for treating and preventing laminitis, founder and overeating in an ungulate
OwnerRobert Danieliinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the production and use of feed compositions useful in the treatment and prevention of laminitis, founder and overeating, particularly in horses and ponies. The feed composition may reduce the effects of carbohydrate overload whilst providing a controlled release of metabolizable energy to avoid excessive fermentation and lactic acid production in the hind gut. At the same time the feed composition can provide nutrition to the animal whilst avoiding overeating. The combination of controlled bulk and energy provides for a feed composition that can control the symptoms of excess energy sources in the gut which may manifest as laminitis and founder.
Claims11
A method of treating laminitis or founder in a horse or pony having laminitis or founder, the method comprising administering to the horse or pony a feed composition comprising effective amounts of:
- (a) a graminaceous component, in an amount of about 41 to 60.5% of the feed composition;
- and
- (b) one or more carbohydrate sources selected from the group consisting of oats, alfalfa, molasses, young hay (without seeds), wheat grains and wheat seeds,
- wherein the graminaceous component is a sugar cane plant selected from the group consisting of Saccharum spontaneum, Saccharum robustum, Saccharum officinarum, Saccharum barberi, Saccharum sinense, and Saccharum edule,
- wherein the graminaceous component has a glycemic index of less than about 69, and
- wherein the feed composition provides greater than 50% of the nutrition for the horse or pony.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.