WOW! If that vet uses the same measurement system as we do 18 degrees rotation is extremely severe. The horses recovery will be long and hard and will probably always have mild flare ups. The 3 phases of laminitis are as follows the developmental (exposure), the acute (1st signs), and the chronic (sore longer than 48hrs &/or rotation). It will be a long hard road probably with set backs. Laminitis (founder) is very unpredictable, and what works for one horse doesn't always work for another. The current treatment can work for a while and then stop and they will have to change what they are doing. But definately the horse should be on a bermuda or coastal type hay and no grain. Horses coffin bones do not derotate. A good farrier will be able to over time reshape the hoof capsule putting the coffin bone in a better position. Making it look on xrays that it derotated. My inlaws have a horse that rotated 13 degrees in each foot about 2 years ago. He still has mild flare ups when he is due for his custom shoes and just after being done. So he is put on Bute 24 hours prior and 48 hours after a visit from the farrier. He is riden very lightly now only in the pasture. The hard ground makes him sore. I had another client whose horse was 13 degrees in one and 14 degrees in the other, she was plagued with chronic abcesses. It has been 4 years and they are only able to ride her in soft footing. Another horse actually sunk did not rotate through the bottom of the sole. He had to be put to sleep. All three horses had different causes but once you have laminitis with or without rotation the treatments are all realitivly the same. Xrays periodicly to check progress, the use of bute and or banamine, foot bandages, proper farrier work, proper bedding (6-8 inches of sand), the use of drugs to help with blood flow and circulation to the foot. Most of all is to maintain the horses comfort if you are unable to do that you have to do what is best for the horse.
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