Laminil™ is available in Canada and most of the United States.

• Laminil™ Cream (120 gram per jar, transdermal base)

• Laminil™ Solution (sterile solution 60mL/10% cromolyn sodium per vial)

What is Laminil™?

Laminil™ (cromolyn sodium) is a mast cell stabilizing drug in topical cream and sterile solution that modulates the inflammatory response to stress leading to laminitis.  Mast cells are multi-functional immune system cells found in all vascularized tissue throughout the body.  Mast cells regulate vital functions, including vascularity, cellular remodeling, wound healing, support for homeostasis, and defense against bacterial infection, toxins, and other antigens.  When over-activated by local and systemic stress, mast cells dysregulate vital functions and release inflammatory mediators that degrade connective tissue in the feet of horses, humans, and other mammals.

Mast cells play leading roles in pathological inflammation of connective tissue and systemic inflammatory diseases that set the stage for laminitis.  Studies of whole blood of horses with developmental and acute laminitis, compared to healthy horses, find two-fold increases in the number and activation of mast cells and the cytokines and mediators of systemic inflammation.  Studies of lamellar tissue of horses euthanized with laminitis find higher mast cell density, elevated inflammatory mediators produced by mast cells, and proliferation of leukocytes recruited by mast cells.**

Laminil treats laminitis as a mast cell activation disorder.  By blocking the aberrant activation of mast cells, Laminil halts the inflammatory cascade, curtails recruitment of leukocytes, and restores vital functions of wound healing and growth.  When administered prophylactically, Laminil stabilizes the immune system and prevents inflammatory episodes.  When administered in the acute phase, Laminil modulates the inflammatory response, stabilizes the system, and opens a window of opportunity for the horse to heal and recover.  When combined with proper podiatry, managed diet, and regular movement, Laminil can prevent another inflammatory episode of laminitis and lead to full recovery.

Laminitis is preventable and treatable with Laminil.

**References

RT-qPCR Comparison of mast cell populations in whole blood from healthy horses and those with laminitis, S. A. Brooks at al. Animal Genetics, 2010.

Mast cell staining in normal and laminitic equine hoof lamellae, Pollitt, C., Draft Research Report, 2021.

Laminar inflammatory gene expression in the carbohydrate overload model of equine laminitis, B.S. Leise, et al. Equine Veterinary Journal, 2011.

Inflammatory Cytokine Gene Expression in Blood During the Development of Oligofructose-Induced Laminitis in Horses, Elizabeth M. Tadros, et al. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2012.

Mast cells and inflammation, Theoharis C., et al. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2012.

Expanding Spectrum of Mast Cell Activation Disorders. Matthieu Picard, MD, et al.  Clinical Therapeutics/Volume 35, Number 5, 2013.

Registered nurse on Laminil being only successful treatment for laminitis that she’s used

What is in Laminil™?

The active pharmaceutical ingredient in Laminil, cromolyn sodium, is a mast cell stabilizing drug approved by the FDA for treatment of allergies, asthma, and other mast cell disorders.  Mast cells are involved in every known inflammatory disease in mammals, and Laminil™ is among the growing list of extra-label uses of mast cell stabilizers to treat systemic inflammatory pathologies, including obesity, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, colitis, myocarditis, migraine headache, auto-immune disorders, and Alzheimer Disease.

Cromolyn sodium is a small chromone molecule with unusual characteristics that ensure safety.

  • Cromolyn is not metabolized or absorbed in the body, has a short biological half-life of 90 minutes, and is excreted intact and virtually non-detectable after 24 hours.
  • Cromolyn is non-toxic, even at eighty times the maximum dose, does not bio-accumulate, and can be used perpetually without harmful side effects.
  • Cromolyn does not interact with any known drugs or herbal treatments, and can be used with NSAIDs, steroids, and other pain medications.

Cromolyn is considered the “gold standard” for mast cell stabilizers and is used in scientific experiments to identify the role of mast cells in various inflammatory diseases by blocking mast cell activation with cromolyn.  Mast cell blocking experiments have revealed the leading roles of mast cells in “the modern epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease“ among horses as well as people.

The use of mast cell stabilizers to prevent and treat laminitis and associated inflammatory disorders is protected by U.S. Patent 9132116 and EU Patent 2424527.

**References

Mast cell activation disease and the modern epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease, Lawrence B. Afrin. Translational Reseach, vol. 174, 2016.

Mast cell stabilization: novel medication for obesity and diabetes, Jing Wang and Guo-Ping Shi, Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2011.

Florida trainer on Laminil saving horse with acute equine laminitis after corticosteroid injections

Laminil™ Products and Administration

Laminil™ products are made by certified compounding pharmacies and are available by veterinary prescription here at For VetsLaminil products are shipped via UPS and USPS in USA and Federal Express internationally.  PayPal is used for invoices, collection, and shipment.

  • Laminil™ Cream (120 gram per jar, transdermal base)
    One jar is sufficient to treat two feet for 30 days.
  • Laminil™ Solution (sterile solution 60mL/10% cromolyn sodium per vial)
    One vial is sufficient for two limb perfusions or one IM loading series of intra-muscular injections.

Hundreds of horses in the USA, Canada, and United Arab Emirates have been treated with Laminil.  Never has a client or veterinarian reported negative effects or complained that Laminil did not help the horse.  Most report that Laminil helped their horses recover from laminitis or prevented an inflammatory laminitis episode that was brewing.  Some have said that Laminil saved their horse.

Dr. Cindy Allen, DVM, on Laminil Cream being an ‘amazing anti-inflammatory’

Laminil™ Cream

Treatment and prevention for all types and phases of laminitis begins with daily application of Laminil Cream to the coronary band, heel bulbs, and frog of affected feet.  One jar (120 gram) is sufficient to treat two feet daily for 30 days.

The coronary band supplies blood to the hoof capsule.  Massaging Laminil Cream into the coronary band puts Laminil into circulation throughout the foot.  Laminil stabilizes mast cells in the coronary band and restores vascular function, improving blood flow and oxygenation.  Laminil stabilizes mast cells in connective tissue of the foot, including equine lamellar membrane, and modulates the inflammatory response to stress.

Laminil Cream promotes hoof growth.  Inflammation produced by mast cell activation blocks growth receptors.  Laminil halts mast cell activation, opens growth receptors, and enables healthy hoof growth.  Slow-growing feet with soft soles, thin walls, and low heels grow faster and improve in structure and angles when treated with Laminil Cream.  Hoof growth typically increases by 30% in 60 days with Laminil Cream applied properly (see Protocol). Virtually everyone is impressed by increased hoof growth with Laminil Cream.

When applied directly to injured tissue, strained ligaments and tendons, and arthritic joints,  Laminil Cream mitigates inflammation and accelerates healing.  Laminil Cream does not interact with any known drugs and is compatible with other treatments.

Use of Laminil on pregnant mare that previously foundered and was struggling with abscesses

Laminil™ Cream Protocol

Apply Laminil Cream to the coronary band. Place a dime-size dab of cream at the front of the coronary band and gently massage across the front 2 inches of the band. Place another dab on each side and massage across the side 2 inches so that the entire band is treated. Then, apply a dab to the heel bulbs and massage across the cleft of the bulbs. If 4 dime-size dabs are applied to each foot, one jar of cream should be adequate for 30 treatments of 2 feet.

Massage of the coronary band is therapeutic. Take a couple of minutes to treat each foot. As the cream is massaged into the band, it will become soft and pliable.

For better access to the coronary band, shave the hair ¼” above the band. Place the clipper blade on the hoof wall and move up gently to shave hair from the coronary band.

If the farrier trims the frog, immediately apply Laminil to the bared frog and into the grooves.

If a podiatry boot with sole pad is applied, saturate a surgical pad with Laminil Cream and apply to the sole to cover the frog under the sole pad of the boot.

Gloves are recommended as standard procedure. However, Laminil is not toxic and is used to treat human arthritis, dermatitis, and inflammation.

Laminil does not interact with other drugs and can be used in conjunction with other treatments, including NSAIDs.

Treatment Schedule for Laminil Cream

For treatment of acute laminitis or another episode, Laminil Cream should be applied daily to all four feet and twice daily to the front feet.

For prevention of laminitis, Laminil Cream should be applied twice a week as maintenance and daily in the spring when the grass is rich in sugars and pasture horses are prone to laminitis.

Before and surgery, Laminil Cream should be applied to all four feet to prevent supporting limb laminitis.

After the farrier, before and after transport, after hard work, after an injury, application of Laminil cream prevents painful inflammatory response.

For horses with retarded hoof growth, thin walls and sole, and low heels, daily application of Laminil for 60 days will increase growth and improve hoof condition.

Laminil Cream can be applied to swollen and arthritic joints and injured tendons. Shave the injured area and gently massage a dab of cream into the skin. Apply daily for at least 7 days or until swelling is completely resolved.

Laminil Cream is helpful in treating dermatitis. Massage a dab into the affected area until the condition is resolved.

Please send feedback and questions to JohnKelly970@gmail.com.

Owner on Laminil Cream Improving Laminitic Mare’s Gait in the First Day

Laminil™ Solution

Laminil Solution (60mL/10% cromolyn sodium) is a sterile solution designed for intra-muscular (IM) injection, intra-veinous (IV) injection, and intra-articular (IA) joint injection.

Laminil IM Loading Series of 12 injections in 30 days stabilizes mast cells, mitigates inflammation, resets the immune system, restores vital functions, and addresses underlying systemic inflammatory conditions.

Common side effects include brighter eyes—no joking—and renewed desire to move, play, eat, live.  After 5 injections and recovery from symptoms, the question is whether to complete the injection series, and the answer is, yes.

The loading series stabilizes mast cells in connective tissue and reduces systemic stress that compromises the immune system and fosters pathological inflammation in the feet, articular joints, GI tract, and other organs under stress.

Any horse under duress can benefit from the Laminil Loading Series and can be treated without concern about side effects or interaction with other treatments and with confidence in doing no harm.

Laminil IM Cluster of 5 injections in 7 days prevents inflammatory stress responses when administered in timely manner:

  • immediately when an episode is anticipated or occurring,
  • immediately after injury,
  • before, during, and after transport, hard work, surgery, and other stressful events, and
  • monthly for maintenance for the most vulnerable to future episodes.

It is much easier to prevent an inflammatory response than treat the acute symptoms of laminitis.

Laminil Limb Perfusion by intra-venous (IV) injection is treatment for acute laminitis.  In a limb perfusion, a tourniquet is fastened above the knee or fetlock, and the veterinarian injects Laminil Solution into the vein below the tourniquet.  Laminil perfuses the lamellar connective tissue, blocks mast cell activation, and stops the inflammatory cascade.  The tourniquet is released after 40 minutes, and cromolyn released into circulation begins to modulate systemic stress.

The IM Loading Series starts 24 hours after the first Perfusion to suppress inflammation, stabilize the immune system, and promote wound healing.  When combined with proper podiatry, managed diet, and regular movement, Laminil can lead to full recovery.

Laminil Joint Injection prevents possible inflammatory response to corticosteroid and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs injected into the bursa of an articular joint.  Laminil (50mg) is simply added to the injection solution to prevent an inflammatory response to the procedure.  It is much easier to prevent an inflammatory response than treat the acute symptoms of laminitis.

Dr. Cindy Allen, DVM, on using Laminil on ligament injury on her own horse

Laminil IM Injection Protocol

Laminil Solution is administered by intra-muscular injection for veterinary use in treating laminitis and associated systemic inflammatory diseases, such as metabolic disorders, Cushings, and GI tract disorders, and in treating local inflammation due to arthritis, injury, infection, and surgery.

Dosage relates to body mass (weight) in the table below.  For mules and donkeys, multiply equine dosage by 1.5 to increase dose by 50%.

  • When in doubt, administer more rather than less. Laminil is nontoxic, and overdose of eighty times (80x) the recommended dose poses no risk of adverse effects.
  • Refrigerate vial.  If cloudiness and crystallization occur, then shake and warm before injection.  Intramuscular injection of miniscule crystals is not harmful.  A yellow tint to the solution is due to pigment and is not a cause for concern.

Loading series to stabilize the immune system and attenuate the inflammatory response is 12 injections in 30 days: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22, 26, 30.

Maintenance dose is 2-3 injections per week for long as response to treatment is positive.  If treatment stops and symptoms recur, then repetition of the loading dose series is recommended.

Laminil IM Injection Dose Table

Feedback is helpful to others who are considering Laminil for their horses.  Please tell us about your horse, the problem, how you used Laminil, and whether and how it helped your horse. Before and after videos are worth a thousand words.  Please send your testimonial to JohnKelly970@gmail.com, and we will post it on the website to help others decide whether Laminil will help their horses.

Event rider on Laminil Cream stopping laminitis in pony

Laminil IV Limb Perfusion Protocol

Laminil Injection Solution is for veterinary use in treating horses displaying lameness associated with laminitis in the prodromal, developmental, acute, peri-acute, and chronic stages.

Limb perfusion can be performed at two sites: one is the cephalic vein proximate the knee and the other is the digital vein proximate the fetlock.  At both sites, a tourniquet is fastened above the injection site, and Laminil Solution is infused via catheter.  The tourniquet remains fastened for 30 minutes for Laminil to thoroughly perfuse the foot and distal connective tissue.

When the tourniquet is released, circulating Laminil stabilizes mast cells in vascularized tissue and interrupts the inflammatory response to systemic disorders that foster laminitis, such as endocrine disease and gastro-intestinal disorder.  Laminil Solution resets and reboots the immune system and opens a window of opportunity for the horse to heal and recover.

Perfusion of all four feet is recommended.  Studies have found comparable up-regulation of inflammatory mediators and damage to connective tissue in all four feet of horses with systemic laminitis.  Because the front feet are under different and greater stress than the rear feet, the inflammatory response is more damaging and painful.  The front feet bear 60% of the body mass loading and function under unique dynamic stresses in movement and static mechanical stress while simply standing square.  Immobility becomes a cause and effect of laminitis.

Dose per perfusion depends on the limited capacity of veins in the foreleg and foot to accommodate infused solution without injurious stress and on the volume required to thoroughly perfuse the limb.

Laminil IV Perfusion Dosage Table

MATERIALS CHECKLIST

  • Laminil Solution (60mL/10% cromolyn)
  • Sedative to keep the horse calm and still during the perfusion
  • Sterile syringes
  • Isopropyl alcohol to aseptically cleanse the injection area
  • 22-23 gauge butterfly Surflo winged infusion sets (catheters)
  • 4×4 gauze roll
  • Tourniquet (Esmach or Kerlix) that is at least 4-inches wide
  • Tape to secure catheter.
  • Fetlock injection only:  2 cc Carbocaine and 5/8-inch needles

PERFUSION PROCEDURE

  1. Fill and set aside syringe with appropriate dosage.
  2. Sedate the standing horse to remain calm and still during the perfusion (about an hour).
  3. Fetlock injection only: Desensitize foot with 2cc of carbocaine placed subcutaneously over each common digital nerve at the fetlock.
  4. Shave and aseptically prepare the injection area with isopropyl alcohol. Do not use iodine solution.
  5. Wrap leg with 4×4 rolled gauze above the injection site and apply tourniquet over the gauze.
  6. Insert butterfly catheter into the cephalic vein below the chestnut or digital vein at the fetlock, and secure with tape.
  7. Insert syringe in catheter.
  8. Slowly infuse Laminil Solution, taking at least one minute to infuse each syringe, which is considerably longer than infusions of other medications.

Attention Veterinarians: use a timer for these two critical time frames.

  1. Keep both tourniquet and catheter in place for 40 minutes after infusion, which is considerably longer than limb perfusions of other medications, such as antibiotics.
  2. Remove tourniquet before removing catheter to reduce swelling at the injection site.
  3. Apply a “standing wrap” or “track bandage”—not a polo wrap—to all four legs to support the suspensory apparatus and fetlock. Refresh and rewrap legs daily until horse can stand comfortably.
  4. Apply proper podiatry to stabilize the hoof capsule, support the hoof wall, and cushion the sole. Proper podiatry is critically important to the comfort and recovery of the horse with laminitis. Current radiographs are essential information for owner, veterinarian, podiatrist, and trainer.
  5. Begin daily application of Laminil Cream to the coronary band, heel, and bulb of the feet.
  6. Begin IM Loading Series of 12 injections in 30 days.

Farrier Robert Goodbread on total transformation of hoof treated with Laminil

Treating Laminitis with Laminil™

Developmental or Prodromal Laminitis
Objective: stabilize the immune system to prevent acute episodes.
Treatment:  Laminil Cream daily and Laminil IM Loading Series (12 injections in 30 days)

Mast cells play central roles in insulin dysregulation, obesity, GI tract disorders, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and other systemic inflammatory diseases that set the stage for laminitis.  Horses with developmental laminitis have over twice the number and activity of mast cells as healthy horses and display elevated levels of inflammatory mediators released by mast cells.

Pre-treatment with Laminil Cream and IM injections of Laminil Solution prevents aberrant activation of mast cells and acute inflammatory episodes and stabilizes the immune system response to stress.

Laminitis is a preventable and treatable disorder.

Chronic Laminitis
Objective:  prevent another laminitis episode.
Treatments:  Laminil Cream daily and Laminil IM Cluster (3-5 injections in 5-7 days) to prevent a laminitis episode.

Laminitis episodes can be prevented when expected.  Treatment should begin before acute symptoms appear and before a triggering event, such as severe weather, a long trailer ride or hard work on hard ground. In some cases, Laminil Cream alone is sufficient to prevent an episode, and in other cases, Laminil IM alone is effective in preventing an expected episode.

Preventing an episode is easier than treating acute lamintis.

Acute Laminitis
Objective:  relieve acute symptoms.
Treatment:  Laminil Cream and Intravenous limb perfusions in all four feet, followed by IM Loading Series.

In a limb perfusion, a tourniquet is fastened above the knee or fetlock, and the veterinarian injects Laminil Solution into the vein below the tourniquet.  Laminil perfuses the lamellar connective tissue, blocks mast cell activation, and stops the inflammatory cascade at the source.  The tourniquet is released after 40 minutes, and cromolyn released into circulation modulates systemic stress.  The symptoms of acute laminitis—heat in the feet and pounding digital pulse—subside in the first hour after Laminil perfusions.

Animals displaying typical symptoms of acute laminitis—heat in the feet, pounding digital pulse, sensitivity to hoof tester, reluctance to move and lameness—require immediate treatment.  Ice, or cryotherapy, is the best immediate response to the problem.  Immerse every foot in icy water—with ice floating in the water—for 40 minutes.  Do this now if possible.

Laminitis response to corticosteroid joint injections
Objective:  prevent inflammatory response in the joint capsule
Treatment:  Laminil Transdermal Cream and Intra-articular joint injection. Laminil Solution is added to the corticosteroid injection performed by the veterinarian.

Mast cells are abundant in the synovial lining, and aberrant activation of synovial mast cells produces MMP-9, IL-6, and other mediators that degrade the basement membrane between dermal layers of the synovial membrane, increasing permeability and loss of synovial fluid.  Laminil stabilizes mast cells on endothelial dermal layer of the synovial membrane and prevents the inflammatory response that leads to laminitis.  Fifty milligrams of Laminil added to the corticosteroid injection can prevent an unlikely but tragic inflammatory response to routine procedure.

Laminitis response to injury, trauma, and environmental stress
After the farrier, Laminil Cream mitigates inflammation and pain and accelerates healing and foot growth.

Supporting-limb or surgery-related laminitis
Laminil IM injections begin as soon as possible after the initiating injury and continue through surgery and recovery, and in hospital, Laminil solution is added to the IV drip to prevent systemic inflammation and laminitis in supporting limbs.  Pre-treatment can prevent laminitis.

Stress of air and ground transport and quarantine can induce laminitis in perfectly fit horses, but Laminil cream and IM injections before, during, and after travel can prevent it.

Trailering is hard on the feet.  If your horse frequently comes off the trailer with sore feet, pre-treat and prevent inflammation with Laminil Cream.

Hard work on hard ground can lead to laminitis. Endurance horses receive Laminil cream and IM injections before and after training and competition to prevent laminitis.  Limb perfusions are performed if early symptoms of acute laminitis appear.

Severe weather, the harbinger of climate change, can trigger laminitis episodes that pre-treatment with Laminil cream and IM can prevent.  Before the next blizzard or cold air mass arrives, treat vulnerable horses with Laminil.

Injured tendons and ligaments are treated with Laminil perfusions, IM injections, and cream to arrest inflammation.  Laminil mitigates inflammation, promotes wound healing and tissue remodeling, and provides pain relief.

Retarded hoof growth.  Inflammation produced by mast cell activation blocks growth receptors.  Laminil blocks mast cell activation and thus enables healthy hoof growth.  Slow-growing feet with soft soles, thin walls, and low heels grow faster and improve in structure and angles when treated with Laminil cream.  Hoof growth typically increases by 30% in 60 days with Laminil Cream applied daily.

Veterinarian on seeing instant decrease in temperature after using Laminil

Will Laminil Help My Horse?

Laminil can do wonders for horses with laminitis if, and only if, they have proper podiatry and well-managed care. Laminitis is an immune system disorder that requires a systems approach to treatment and prevention. Laminil alone cannot cure laminitis. Laminil can mitigate inflammation and open a window of opportunity for healing and recovery. Owner, farrier, veterinarian, and caregiver must work together to provide proper podiatry; manage the diet, living conditions, and movement of the horse; and diligently administer Laminil treatments. Laminitis does not have to be a death sentence. With proper podiatry, well-managed care, and Laminil treatments, horses can recover from laminitis.

  • Proper podiatry is needed as soon as possible to stop the pain response and enable movement. Podiatry should stabilize the hoof capsule, support the hoof wall, pad the frog, and cushion the sole. X-rays are necessary to determine whether bone displacement has occurred. Most farriers have their preferred methods and devices for treating laminitis and unspoken but often important observations about the horses they treat. To learn about equine podiatry, laminitis, and herbal hoof health, go to K.C. LaPierre at www.EquinePodiatryInstitute.com.
  • Well-managed care is necessary to address the systemic disorder associated with laminitis, such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, PPID, GI tract disruption, and other systemic stress. Diet and movement are key factors in recovering from laminitis and avoiding future episodes.
  • Laminil treatment is needed to stop inflammatory episodes and prevent future episodes by stabilizing the immune system response to systemic stress. In Laminil therapy, the mode of administration, dosage, and treatment schedule—and the outcome—depend on the horse’s symptoms, underlying systemic stress, condition of feet and body, and other drugs and treatments in use. However, these general principles apply to all cases.

—Early treatment produces better results, and preventative treatment is best. Laminil is most effective when administered prophylactically.

—It takes time for symptoms to recede. Laminil stops the inflammatory cascade, but it takes time to resolve the extant inflammation before the effects of Laminil are evident.

—Repeated treatments are necessary for the same reasons why Laminil is nontoxic and has no negative side effects. Laminil is not metabolized, is not readily absorbed in tissue, has a short biological half-life, and clears completely. These extraordinary properties of Laminil pose challenges to effective administration, which is why mast cell stabilizers are not more commonly used in human treatments. People generally are poor practitioners of preventative medicine, particularly when there is no immediate pleasure or relief of symptoms and when extended use beyond 4 days is required. However, horse owners and caregivers are more accustomed to preventative treatments that appear to have no immediate effects and require extended use, such as mineral and vitamin supplements and intramuscular injections for arthritis and other chronic conditions. Laminil depends on the diligence and persistence of people caring for horses to harness the transient power of mast cell stabilizers to stop laminitis.

With proper podiatry and well-managed care, Laminil can help every horse with laminitis. In the following hypotheticals, the horse is assumed to be receiving these essential support services.

For acute symptoms of laminitis, Laminil IV Perfusion, should be performed as soon as possible, and Laminil Cream applied daily. Early treatment improves results. The longer symptoms are present before Laminil treatment, the longer it takes to see the results.

For chronic laminitis, apply Laminil Cream to treat the feet and Laminil IM Series (12 injections over 30 days, then weekly) to treat arthritis and tendonitis associated with laminitis. After full rotation of the distal phalanx, horses can recover proper bone placement with proper podiatry and Laminil combined. No longer is chronic laminitis a hopeless condition.

For recurring episodes of laminitis, prophylactic treatment with Laminil Cream can reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. For example, a client “just knows” when her pasture pony is going to have another laminitis episode and applying Laminil Cream prevents or significantly mitigates the episode. Other clients apply Laminil Cream two or three times a week and increase to once or twice daily when symptoms first appear or have appeared in the past.

For arthritis and tendonitis, Laminil IM Solution is administered in a loading series of 12 intramuscular injections in 30 days and then weekly.

For retarded hoof growth, Laminil Cream applied daily stops chronic inflammation and increases healthy hoof growth. Clients report increases of 30% in healthy hoof growth in 60 days of diligent daily application of Laminil Cream. Chronic inflammation compromises critical physiological functions of growth, wound healing, remodeling damaged tissue, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis, and resistance to infection and abscesses. By quelling inflammation, Laminil allows the hoof to grow as it should, often producing higher heels, deeper soles, and improved palmar angle.

Julie Weir, eventer and fox hunter, on much better hoof growth with Laminil

Herbal Origin of Laminil

The active pharmaceutical ingredient in Laminil, cromolyn, was discovered in 1965 by Dr. Roger Altounyan. The Armenian-American physician and pharmacologist was, himself, a lifelong asthma sufferer. Altounyan was investigating certain plants and herbs which have bronchodilation properties, when he learned of khella (Ammi visnaga), which had been used as a muscle relaxant since ancient times in Egypt. He extracted and inhaled the active ingredient of khellin, and it prevented his asthma attacks. Based on his discovery, Altounyan developed a novel class of compounds, called mast cell stabilizers, that have since entered clinical practice, and are used exclusively in Laminil equine products.

Dr. Scott Handlin, DVM, on full recovery of pregnant mare with laminitis after Laminil treatment

Safety: Is Laminil Safe for Horses?

Laminil is virtually nontoxic due to the fact that mast cell stabilizers are not metabolized; the molecules are excreted unchanged in the urine and bile. This extraordinary property explains the almost complete absence of toxic or unwanted side-effects and accounts for the short biological half-life of about 90 minutes. Laminil mast cell stabilizers have been tested and proven to be nontoxic at doses over 80 times the maximum recommended dose based on body mass, and are suitable for chronic use.

Laminil does not interact with known drugs, and is compatible with other treatments. Laminil™ can be used with steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other pain relief treatments. Laminil IV Perfusion should be administered prior to cryotherapy (icing) to avoid vascular stress and prevent reperfusion injury. Laminil is complementary to herbal treatments for inflammation and immune system disorders.

Who Invented Laminil™

Charles Owen, a farrier by training known to most as Charlie, began his amazing journey to unlock the mystery of laminitis in 1989. Starting with an idea of how laminitis originated, Charlie spent the next 17 years conducting research to refine his theory of the laminitis cascade. A self-educated scientist, Charlie turned to Colorado State University to test his theory that the laminitis cascade can be stopped at the mast cell.

With his theory confirmed, the task was to find a drug that would interrupt and halt the laminitis cascade by inhibiting mast cells. Charlie contacted a major hospital that specialized in immune system treatments, and they pointed to mast cell stabilizing drugs that might succeed. He selected two mast cell stabilizing drugs, cromolyn and nedocromil, that appeared promising and adopted the limb perfusion technique to deliver drugs to the affected lamellar tissue. He sponsored proof-of-concept studies with horses that had been induced with laminitis and observed that horses treated with Laminil recovered significantly faster than horses treated with a placebo. Charlie filed patent applications for use of mast cell stabilizing drugs to treat and prevent laminitis under the copyrighted name Laminil.

With proof of concept confirmed, Charlie took Laminil to the field to test it on horses with naturally occurring laminitis. A wide variety of horses with a wide variety of laminitis symptoms were involved in the field study. Over fifty horses in various stages of laminitis and in various conditions were involved. The results were similarly varied, except 92% of clients reported that “Laminil™ helped my horse,” none reported that “Laminil hurt my horse,” and ten reported that “Laminil™ saved my horse.”

Charlie’s theory of laminitis was confirmed. His concept of intercepting the laminitis cascade at the mast cell was validated. His discovery of mast cell inhibitors to treat laminitis was clearly established. Decades of devotion and persistence came to fruition in Laminil and brought new hope for horses with laminitis.

Mission Statement: Stop Laminitis

Every minute of every day, thousands of horses around the world endure the pain and suffering of laminitis. It takes the lives of tens of thousands of horses every year. It is the second leading medical cause of death. Yet, there has been no treatment for laminitis, until now. Laminil stops laminitis. It does not cure the disease. Laminil halts the inflammatory response and opens a window of opportunity for the horse to heal and recover. Our mission is to relieve the pain and suffering by making Laminil available to horses everywhere.

Who is Willowcroft Pharm?

Willowcroft Pharm Incorporated is a privately-held equine pharmaceutical company that develops innovative and effective treatments for horses. Our initial product, Laminil, is the first effective treatment for laminitis, which is the second leading cause of death in horses. Our next products will be similarly innovative and effective in treating common equine ailments.

The President, Dr. John Kelly, is an eventer who has written books and articles on topics ranging from whales to radioactive waste. After five years as a university professor, Dr. Kelly founded a consulting firm that specialized in managing nuclear materials worldwide. He ran the firm for 25 years, and now focuses on training horses and competing in three-day eventing. Over the past decade, Dr. Kelly has participated in several pharmaceutical start-ups as an advisor and investor.

In May 2016, at the request of his old fox-hunting friend, Charlie Owen, and with the enticement of saving horses, Dr. Kelly agreed to take the reins of Willowcroft Pharm and bring Laminil to market, which occurred in December 2016. Now, Dr. Kelly is building an international network of compounding pharmacies to make Laminil.

Many have contributed time, resources, and expertise to the development of Laminil. University faculty and staff helped Charlie go from test tubes to clinical trials and field studies in developing, testing, and confirming his theory of the laminitis cascade. Friends contributed resources and volunteered their horses in testing the product in development stages. Attorneys helped Charlie secure patents. Our webmaster, who cares for laminitic horses, has contributed countless hours to the Laminil.us website. Our compounding pharmacy partner has formulated Laminil products throughout the development process. Last and more important, hundreds of horses and their owners and veterinarians have participated in field studies, fortunately, with major benefit to the horses and no toxic effects. Now, the challenging work of marketing Laminil and the exciting work of saving horses begins.

Email
JohnKelly970@gmail.com

Willowcroft Pharm, Inc., is a privately held pharmaceutical company that repurposes human drugs for treatment of horses and other animals.

What is Laminil™?

Laminil™ (cromolyn sodium) is a mast cell stabilizing drug in topical cream and sterile solution that modulates the inflammatory response to stress leading to laminitis.  Mast cells are multi-functional immune system cells found in all vascularized tissue throughout the body.  Mast cells regulate vital functions, including vascularity, cellular remodeling, wound healing, support for homeostasis, and defense against bacterial infection, toxins, and other antigens.  When over-activated by local and systemic stress, mast cells dysregulate vital functions and release inflammatory mediators that degrade connective tissue in the feet of horses, humans, and other mammals.

Mast cells play leading roles in pathological inflammation of connective tissue and systemic inflammatory diseases that set the stage for laminitis.  Studies of whole blood of horses with developmental and acute laminitis, compared to healthy horses, find two-fold increases in the number and activation of mast cells and the cytokines and mediators of systemic inflammation.  Studies of lamellar tissue of horses euthanized with laminitis find higher mast cell density, elevated inflammatory mediators produced by mast cells, and proliferation of leukocytes recruited by mast cells.**

Laminil treats laminitis as a mast cell activation disorder.  By blocking the aberrant activation of mast cells, Laminil halts the inflammatory cascade, curtails recruitment of leukocytes, and restores vital functions of wound healing and growth.  When administered prophylactically, Laminil stabilizes the immune system and prevents inflammatory episodes.  When administered in the acute phase, Laminil modulates the inflammatory response, stabilizes the system, and opens a window of opportunity for the horse to heal and recover.  When combined with proper podiatry, managed diet, and regular movement, Laminil can prevent another inflammatory episode of laminitis and lead to full recovery.

Laminitis is preventable and treatable with Laminil.

**References

RT-qPCR Comparison of mast cell populations in whole blood from healthy horses and those with laminitis, S. A. Brooks at al. Animal Genetics, 2010.

Mast cell staining in normal and laminitic equine hoof lamellae, Pollitt, C., Draft Research Report, 2021.

Laminar inflammatory gene expression in the carbohydrate overload model of equine laminitis, B.S. Leise, et al. Equine Veterinary Journal, 2011.

Inflammatory Cytokine Gene Expression in Blood During the Development of Oligofructose-Induced Laminitis in Horses, Elizabeth M. Tadros, et al. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2012.

Mast cells and inflammation, Theoharis C., et al. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2012.

Expanding Spectrum of Mast Cell Activation Disorders. Matthieu Picard, MD, et al.  Clinical Therapeutics/Volume 35, Number 5, 2013.

Registered nurse on Laminil being only successful treatment for laminitis that she’s used

Florida trainer on Laminil saving horse with acute equine laminitis after corticosteroid injections

What is in Laminil™?

The active pharmaceutical ingredient in Laminil, cromolyn sodium, is a mast cell stabilizing drug approved by the FDA for treatment of allergies, asthma, and other mast cell disorders.  Mast cells are involved in every known inflammatory disease in mammals, and Laminil™ is among the growing list of extra-label uses of mast cell stabilizers to treat systemic inflammatory pathologies, including obesity, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, colitis, myocarditis, migraine headache, auto-immune disorders, and Alzheimer Disease.

Cromolyn sodium is a small chromone molecule with unusual characteristics that ensure safety.

  • Cromolyn is not metabolized or absorbed in the body, has a short biological half-life of 90 minutes, and is excreted intact and virtually non-detectable after 24 hours.
  • Cromolyn is non-toxic, even at eighty times the maximum dose, does not bio-accumulate, and can be used perpetually without harmful side effects.
  • Cromolyn does not interact with any known drugs or herbal treatments, and can be used with NSAIDs, steroids, and other pain medications.

Cromolyn is considered the “gold standard” for mast cell stabilizers and is used in scientific experiments to identify the role of mast cells in various inflammatory diseases by blocking mast cell activation with cromolyn.  Mast cell blocking experiments have revealed the leading roles of mast cells in “the modern epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease“ among horses as well as people.

The use of mast cell stabilizers to prevent and treat laminitis and associated inflammatory disorders is protected by U.S. Patent 9132116 and EU Patent 2424527.

**References

Mast cell activation disease and the modern epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease, Lawrence B. Afrin. Translational Reseach, vol. 174, 2016.

Mast cell stabilization: novel medication for obesity and diabetes, Jing Wang and Guo-Ping Shi, Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2011.

Dr. Cindy Allen, DVM, on Laminil Cream being an ‘amazing anti-inflammatory’

Use of Laminil on pregnant mare that previously foundered and was struggling with abscesses

Laminil™ Products and Administration

Laminil™ products are made by certified compounding pharmacies and are available by veterinary prescription here at For VetsLaminil products are shipped via UPS and USPS in USA and Federal Express internationally.  PayPal is used for invoices, collection, and shipment.

  • Laminil™ Cream (120 gram per jar, transdermal base)
    One jar is sufficient to treat two feet for 30 days.
  • Laminil™ Solution (sterile solution 60mL/10% cromolyn sodium per vial)
    One vial is sufficient for two limb perfusions or one IM loading series of intra-muscular injections.

Hundreds of horses in the USA, Canada, and United Arab Emirates have been treated with Laminil.  Never has a client or veterinarian reported negative effects or complained that Laminil did not help the horse.  Most report that Laminil helped their horses recover from laminitis or prevented an inflammatory laminitis episode that was brewing.  Some have said that Laminil saved their horse.

Owner on Laminil Cream Improving Laminitic Mare’s Gait in the First Day

Laminil™ Cream

Treatment and prevention for all types and phases of laminitis begins with daily application of Laminil Cream to the coronary band, heel bulbs, and frog of affected feet.  One jar (120 gram) is sufficient to treat two feet daily for 30 days.

The coronary band supplies blood to the hoof capsule.  Massaging Laminil Cream into the coronary band puts Laminil into circulation throughout the foot.  Laminil stabilizes mast cells in the coronary band and restores vascular function, improving blood flow and oxygenation.  Laminil stabilizes mast cells in connective tissue of the foot, including equine lamellar membrane, and modulates the inflammatory response to stress.

Laminil Cream promotes hoof growth.  Inflammation produced by mast cell activation blocks growth receptors.  Laminil halts mast cell activation, opens growth receptors, and enables healthy hoof growth.  Slow-growing feet with soft soles, thin walls, and low heels grow faster and improve in structure and angles when treated with Laminil Cream.  Hoof growth typically increases by 30% in 60 days with Laminil Cream applied properly (see Protocol). Virtually everyone is impressed by increased hoof growth with Laminil Cream.

When applied directly to injured tissue, strained ligaments and tendons, and arthritic joints,  Laminil Cream mitigates inflammation and accelerates healing.  Laminil Cream does not interact with any known drugs and is compatible with other treatments.

Dr. Cindy Allen, DVM, on using Laminil on ligament injury on her own horse

Laminil™ Cream Protocol

Apply Laminil Cream to the coronary band. Place a dime-size dab of cream at the front of the coronary band and gently massage across the front 2 inches of the band. Place another dab on each side and massage across the side 2 inches so that the entire band is treated. Then, apply a dab to the heel bulbs and massage across the cleft of the bulbs. If 4 dime-size dabs are applied to each foot, one jar of cream should be adequate for 30 treatments of 2 feet.

Massage of the coronary band is therapeutic. Take a couple of minutes to treat each foot. As the cream is massaged into the band, it will become soft and pliable.

For better access to the coronary band, shave the hair ¼” above the band. Place the clipper blade on the hoof wall and move up gently to shave hair from the coronary band.

If the farrier trims the frog, immediately apply Laminil to the bared frog and into the grooves.

If a podiatry boot with sole pad is applied, saturate a surgical pad with Laminil Cream and apply to the sole to cover the frog under the sole pad of the boot.

Gloves are recommended as standard procedure. However, Laminil is not toxic and is used to treat human arthritis, dermatitis, and inflammation.

Laminil does not interact with other drugs and can be used in conjunction with other treatments, including NSAIDs.

Treatment Schedule for Laminil Cream

For treatment of acute laminitis or another episode, Laminil Cream should be applied daily to all four feet and twice daily to the front feet.

For prevention of laminitis, Laminil Cream should be applied twice a week as maintenance and daily in the spring when the grass is rich in sugars and pasture horses are prone to laminitis.

Before and surgery, Laminil Cream should be applied to all four feet to prevent supporting limb laminitis.

After the farrier, before and after transport, after hard work, after an injury, application of Laminil cream prevents painful inflammatory response.

For horses with retarded hoof growth, thin walls and sole, and low heels, daily application of Laminil for 60 days will increase growth and improve hoof condition.

Laminil Cream can be applied to swollen and arthritic joints and injured tendons. Shave the injured area and gently massage a dab of cream into the skin. Apply daily for at least 7 days or until swelling is completely resolved.

Laminil Cream is helpful in treating dermatitis. Massage a dab into the affected area until the condition is resolved.

Please send feedback and questions to JohnKelly970@gmail.com.

Event rider on Laminil Cream stopping laminitis in pony

Farrier Robert Goodbread on total transformation of hoof treated with Laminil

Laminil™ Solution

Laminil Solution (60mL/10% cromolyn sodium) is a sterile solution designed for intra-muscular (IM) injection, intra-veinous (IV) injection, and intra-articular (IA) joint injection.

Laminil IM Loading Series of 12 injections in 30 days stabilizes mast cells, mitigates inflammation, resets the immune system, restores vital functions, and addresses underlying systemic inflammatory conditions.

Common side effects include brighter eyes—no joking—and renewed desire to move, play, eat, live.  After 5 injections and recovery from symptoms, the question is whether to complete the injection series, and the answer is, yes.

The loading series stabilizes mast cells in connective tissue and reduces systemic stress that compromises the immune system and fosters pathological inflammation in the feet, articular joints, GI tract, and other organs under stress.

Any horse under duress can benefit from the Laminil Loading Series and can be treated without concern about side effects or interaction with other treatments and with confidence in doing no harm.

Laminil IM Cluster of 5 injections in 7 days prevents inflammatory stress responses when administered in timely manner:

  • immediately when an episode is anticipated or occurring,
  • immediately after injury,
  • before, during, and after transport, hard work, surgery, and other stressful events, and
  • monthly for maintenance for the most vulnerable to future episodes.

It is much easier to prevent an inflammatory response than treat the acute symptoms of laminitis.

Laminil Limb Perfusion by intra-venous (IV) injection is treatment for acute laminitis.  In a limb perfusion, a tourniquet is fastened above the knee or fetlock, and the veterinarian injects Laminil Solution into the vein below the tourniquet.  Laminil perfuses the lamellar connective tissue, blocks mast cell activation, and stops the inflammatory cascade.  The tourniquet is released after 40 minutes, and cromolyn released into circulation begins to modulate systemic stress.

The IM Loading Series starts 24 hours after the first Perfusion to suppress inflammation, stabilize the immune system, and promote wound healing.  When combined with proper podiatry, managed diet, and regular movement, Laminil can lead to full recovery.

Laminil Joint Injection prevents possible inflammatory response to corticosteroid and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs injected into the bursa of an articular joint.  Laminil (50mg) is simply added to the injection solution to prevent an inflammatory response to the procedure.  It is much easier to prevent an inflammatory response than treat the acute symptoms of laminitis.

Veterinarian on seeing instant decrease in temperature after using Laminil

Julie Weir, eventer and fox hunter, on much better hoof growth with Laminil

Laminil IM Injection Protocol

Laminil Solution is administered by intra-muscular injection for veterinary use in treating laminitis and associated systemic inflammatory diseases, such as metabolic disorders, Cushings, and GI tract disorders, and in treating local inflammation due to arthritis, injury, infection, and surgery.

Dosage relates to body mass (weight) in the table below.  For mules and donkeys, multiply equine dosage by 1.5 to increase dose by 50%.

  • When in doubt, administer more rather than less. Laminil is nontoxic, and overdose of eighty times (80x) the recommended dose poses no risk of adverse effects.
  • Refrigerate vial.  If cloudiness and crystallization occur, then shake and warm before injection.  Intramuscular injection of miniscule crystals is not harmful.  A yellow tint to the solution is due to pigment and is not a cause for concern.

Loading series to stabilize the immune system and attenuate the inflammatory response is 12 injections in 30 days: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22, 26, 30.

Maintenance dose is 2-3 injections per week for long as response to treatment is positive.  If treatment stops and symptoms recur, then repetition of the loading dose series is recommended.

Laminil IM Injection Dose Table

Feedback is helpful to others who are considering Laminil for their horses.  Please tell us about your horse, the problem, how you used Laminil, and whether and how it helped your horse. Before and after videos are worth a thousand words.  Please send your testimonial to JohnKelly970@gmail.com, and we will post it on the website to help others decide whether Laminil will help their horses.

Laminil IV Limb Perfusion Protocol

Laminil Injection Solution is for veterinary use in treating horses displaying lameness associated with laminitis in the prodromal, developmental, acute, peri-acute, and chronic stages.

Limb perfusion can be performed at two sites: one is the cephalic vein proximate the knee and the other is the digital vein proximate the fetlock.  At both sites, a tourniquet is fastened above the injection site, and Laminil Solution is infused via catheter.  The tourniquet remains fastened for 30 minutes for Laminil to thoroughly perfuse the foot and distal connective tissue.

When the tourniquet is released, circulating Laminil stabilizes mast cells in vascularized tissue and interrupts the inflammatory response to systemic disorders that foster laminitis, such as endocrine disease and gastro-intestinal disorder.  Laminil Solution resets and reboots the immune system and opens a window of opportunity for the horse to heal and recover.

Perfusion of all four feet is recommended.  Studies have found comparable up-regulation of inflammatory mediators and damage to connective tissue in all four feet of horses with systemic laminitis.  Because the front feet are under different and greater stress than the rear feet, the inflammatory response is more damaging and painful.  The front feet bear 60% of the body mass loading and function under unique dynamic stresses in movement and static mechanical stress while simply standing square.  Immobility becomes a cause and effect of laminitis.

Dose per perfusion depends on the limited capacity of veins in the foreleg and foot to accommodate infused solution without injurious stress and on the volume required to thoroughly perfuse the limb.

Laminil IV Perfusion Dosage Table

MATERIALS CHECKLIST

  • Laminil Solution (60mL/10% cromolyn)
  • Sedative to keep the horse calm and still during the perfusion
  • Sterile syringes
  • Isopropyl alcohol to aseptically cleanse the injection area
  • 22-23 gauge butterfly Surflo winged infusion sets (catheters)
  • 4×4 gauze roll
  • Tourniquet (Esmach or Kerlix) that is at least 4-inches wide
  • Tape to secure catheter.
  • Fetlock injection only:  2 cc Carbocaine and 5/8-inch needles

PERFUSION PROCEDURE

  1. Fill and set aside syringe with appropriate dosage.
  2. Sedate the standing horse to remain calm and still during the perfusion (about an hour).
  3. Fetlock injection only: Desensitize foot with 2cc of carbocaine placed subcutaneously over each common digital nerve at the fetlock.
  4. Shave and aseptically prepare the injection area with isopropyl alcohol. Do not use iodine solution.
  5. Wrap leg with 4×4 rolled gauze above the injection site and apply tourniquet over the gauze.
  6. Insert butterfly catheter into the cephalic vein below the chestnut or digital vein at the fetlock, and secure with tape.
  7. Insert syringe in catheter.
  8. Slowly infuse Laminil Solution, taking at least one minute to infuse each syringe, which is considerably longer than infusions of other medications.

Attention Veterinarians: use a timer for these two critical time frames.

  1. Keep both tourniquet and catheter in place for 40 minutes after infusion, which is considerably longer than limb perfusions of other medications, such as antibiotics.
  2. Remove tourniquet before removing catheter to reduce swelling at the injection site.
  3. Apply a “standing wrap” or “track bandage”—not a polo wrap—to all four legs to support the suspensory apparatus and fetlock. Refresh and rewrap legs daily until horse can stand comfortably.
  4. Apply proper podiatry to stabilize the hoof capsule, support the hoof wall, and cushion the sole. Proper podiatry is critically important to the comfort and recovery of the horse with laminitis. Current radiographs are essential information for owner, veterinarian, podiatrist, and trainer.
  5. Begin daily application of Laminil Cream to the coronary band, heel, and bulb of the feet.
  6. Begin IM Loading Series of 12 injections in 30 days.

Treating Laminitis with Laminil™

Developmental or Prodromal Laminitis
Objective: stabilize the immune system to prevent acute episodes.
Treatment:  Laminil Cream daily and Laminil IM Loading Series (12 injections in 30 days)

Mast cells play central roles in insulin dysregulation, obesity, GI tract disorders, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and other systemic inflammatory diseases that set the stage for laminitis.  Horses with developmental laminitis have over twice the number and activity of mast cells as healthy horses and display elevated levels of inflammatory mediators released by mast cells.

Pre-treatment with Laminil Cream and IM injections of Laminil Solution prevents aberrant activation of mast cells and acute inflammatory episodes and stabilizes the immune system response to stress.

Laminitis is a preventable and treatable disorder.

Chronic Laminitis
Objective:  prevent another laminitis episode.
Treatments:  Laminil Cream daily and Laminil IM Cluster (3-5 injections in 5-7 days) to prevent a laminitis episode.

Laminitis episodes can be prevented when expected.  Treatment should begin before acute symptoms appear and before a triggering event, such as severe weather, a long trailer ride or hard work on hard ground. In some cases, Laminil Cream alone is sufficient to prevent an episode, and in other cases, Laminil IM alone is effective in preventing an expected episode.

Preventing an episode is easier than treating acute lamintis.

Acute Laminitis
Objective:  relieve acute symptoms.
Treatment:  Laminil Cream and Intravenous limb perfusions in all four feet, followed by IM Loading Series.

In a limb perfusion, a tourniquet is fastened above the knee or fetlock, and the veterinarian injects Laminil Solution into the vein below the tourniquet.  Laminil perfuses the lamellar connective tissue, blocks mast cell activation, and stops the inflammatory cascade at the source.  The tourniquet is released after 40 minutes, and cromolyn released into circulation modulates systemic stress.  The symptoms of acute laminitis—heat in the feet and pounding digital pulse—subside in the first hour after Laminil perfusions.

Animals displaying typical symptoms of acute laminitis—heat in the feet, pounding digital pulse, sensitivity to hoof tester, reluctance to move and lameness—require immediate treatment.  Ice, or cryotherapy, is the best immediate response to the problem.  Immerse every foot in icy water—with ice floating in the water—for 40 minutes.  Do this now if possible.

Laminitis response to corticosteroid joint injections
Objective:  prevent inflammatory response in the joint capsule
Treatment:  Laminil Transdermal Cream and Intra-articular joint injection. Laminil Solution is added to the corticosteroid injection performed by the veterinarian.

Mast cells are abundant in the synovial lining, and aberrant activation of synovial mast cells produces MMP-9, IL-6, and other mediators that degrade the basement membrane between dermal layers of the synovial membrane, increasing permeability and loss of synovial fluid.  Laminil stabilizes mast cells on endothelial dermal layer of the synovial membrane and prevents the inflammatory response that leads to laminitis.  Fifty milligrams of Laminil added to the corticosteroid injection can prevent an unlikely but tragic inflammatory response to routine procedure.

Laminitis response to injury, trauma, and environmental stress
After the farrier, Laminil Cream mitigates inflammation and pain and accelerates healing and foot growth.

Supporting-limb or surgery-related laminitis
Laminil IM injections begin as soon as possible after the initiating injury and continue through surgery and recovery, and in hospital, Laminil solution is added to the IV drip to prevent systemic inflammation and laminitis in supporting limbs.  Pre-treatment can prevent laminitis.

Stress of air and ground transport and quarantine can induce laminitis in perfectly fit horses, but Laminil cream and IM injections before, during, and after travel can prevent it.

Trailering is hard on the feet.  If your horse frequently comes off the trailer with sore feet, pre-treat and prevent inflammation with Laminil Cream.

Hard work on hard ground can lead to laminitis. Endurance horses receive Laminil cream and IM injections before and after training and competition to prevent laminitis.  Limb perfusions are performed if early symptoms of acute laminitis appear.

Severe weather, the harbinger of climate change, can trigger laminitis episodes that pre-treatment with Laminil cream and IM can prevent.  Before the next blizzard or cold air mass arrives, treat vulnerable horses with Laminil.

Injured tendons and ligaments are treated with Laminil perfusions, IM injections, and cream to arrest inflammation.  Laminil mitigates inflammation, promotes wound healing and tissue remodeling, and provides pain relief.

Retarded hoof growth.  Inflammation produced by mast cell activation blocks growth receptors.  Laminil blocks mast cell activation and thus enables healthy hoof growth.  Slow-growing feet with soft soles, thin walls, and low heels grow faster and improve in structure and angles when treated with Laminil cream.  Hoof growth typically increases by 30% in 60 days with Laminil Cream applied daily.

Will Laminil Help My Horse?

Laminil can do wonders for horses with laminitis if, and only if, they have proper podiatry and well-managed care. Laminitis is an immune system disorder that requires a systems approach to treatment and prevention. Laminil alone cannot cure laminitis. Laminil can mitigate inflammation and open a window of opportunity for healing and recovery. Owner, farrier, veterinarian, and caregiver must work together to provide proper podiatry; manage the diet, living conditions, and movement of the horse; and diligently administer Laminil treatments. Laminitis does not have to be a death sentence. With proper podiatry, well-managed care, and Laminil treatments, horses can recover from laminitis.

  • Proper podiatry is needed as soon as possible to stop the pain response and enable movement. Podiatry should stabilize the hoof capsule, support the hoof wall, pad the frog, and cushion the sole. X-rays are necessary to determine whether bone displacement has occurred. Most farriers have their preferred methods and devices for treating laminitis and unspoken but often important observations about the horses they treat. To learn about equine podiatry, laminitis, and herbal hoof health, go to K.C. LaPierre at www.EquinePodiatryInstitute.com.
  • Well-managed care is necessary to address the systemic disorder associated with laminitis, such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, PPID, GI tract disruption, and other systemic stress. Diet and movement are key factors in recovering from laminitis and avoiding future episodes.
  • Laminil treatment is needed to stop inflammatory episodes and prevent future episodes by stabilizing the immune system response to systemic stress. In Laminil therapy, the mode of administration, dosage, and treatment schedule—and the outcome—depend on the horse’s symptoms, underlying systemic stress, condition of feet and body, and other drugs and treatments in use. However, these general principles apply to all cases.

—Early treatment produces better results, and preventative treatment is best. Laminil is most effective when administered prophylactically.

—It takes time for symptoms to recede. Laminil stops the inflammatory cascade, but it takes time to resolve the extant inflammation before the effects of Laminil are evident.

—Repeated treatments are necessary for the same reasons why Laminil is nontoxic and has no negative side effects. Laminil is not metabolized, is not readily absorbed in tissue, has a short biological half-life, and clears completely. These extraordinary properties of Laminil pose challenges to effective administration, which is why mast cell stabilizers are not more commonly used in human treatments. People generally are poor practitioners of preventative medicine, particularly when there is no immediate pleasure or relief of symptoms and when extended use beyond 4 days is required. However, horse owners and caregivers are more accustomed to preventative treatments that appear to have no immediate effects and require extended use, such as mineral and vitamin supplements and intramuscular injections for arthritis and other chronic conditions. Laminil depends on the diligence and persistence of people caring for horses to harness the transient power of mast cell stabilizers to stop laminitis.

With proper podiatry and well-managed care, Laminil can help every horse with laminitis. In the following hypotheticals, the horse is assumed to be receiving these essential support services.

For acute symptoms of laminitis, Laminil IV Perfusion, should be performed as soon as possible, and Laminil Cream applied daily. Early treatment improves results. The longer symptoms are present before Laminil treatment, the longer it takes to see the results.

For chronic laminitis, apply Laminil Cream to treat the feet and Laminil IM Series (12 injections over 30 days, then weekly) to treat arthritis and tendonitis associated with laminitis. After full rotation of the distal phalanx, horses can recover proper bone placement with proper podiatry and Laminil combined. No longer is chronic laminitis a hopeless condition.

For recurring episodes of laminitis, prophylactic treatment with Laminil Cream can reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. For example, a client “just knows” when her pasture pony is going to have another laminitis episode and applying Laminil Cream prevents or significantly mitigates the episode. Other clients apply Laminil Cream two or three times a week and increase to once or twice daily when symptoms first appear or have appeared in the past.

For arthritis and tendonitis, Laminil IM Solution is administered in a loading series of 12 intramuscular injections in 30 days and then weekly.

For retarded hoof growth, Laminil Cream applied daily stops chronic inflammation and increases healthy hoof growth. Clients report increases of 30% in healthy hoof growth in 60 days of diligent daily application of Laminil Cream. Chronic inflammation compromises critical physiological functions of growth, wound healing, remodeling damaged tissue, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis, and resistance to infection and abscesses. By quelling inflammation, Laminil allows the hoof to grow as it should, often producing higher heels, deeper soles, and improved palmar angle.

Herbal Origin of Laminil

The active pharmaceutical ingredient in Laminil, cromolyn, was discovered in 1965 by Dr. Roger Altounyan. The Armenian-American physician and pharmacologist was, himself, a lifelong asthma sufferer. Altounyan was investigating certain plants and herbs which have bronchodilation properties, when he learned of khella (Ammi visnaga), which had been used as a muscle relaxant since ancient times in Egypt. He extracted and inhaled the active ingredient of khellin, and it prevented his asthma attacks. Based on his discovery, Altounyan developed a novel class of compounds, called mast cell stabilizers, that have since entered clinical practice, and are used exclusively in Laminil equine products.

Safety: Is Laminil Safe for Horses?

Laminil is virtually nontoxic due to the fact that mast cell stabilizers are not metabolized; the molecules are excreted unchanged in the urine and bile. This extraordinary property explains the almost complete absence of toxic or unwanted side-effects and accounts for the short biological half-life of about 90 minutes. Laminil mast cell stabilizers have been tested and proven to be nontoxic at doses over 80 times the maximum recommended dose based on body mass, and are suitable for chronic use.

Laminil does not interact with known drugs, and is compatible with other treatments. Laminil™ can be used with steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other pain relief treatments. Laminil IV Perfusion should be administered prior to cryotherapy (icing) to avoid vascular stress and prevent reperfusion injury. Laminil is complementary to herbal treatments for inflammation and immune system disorders.

Who Invented Laminil™

Charles Owen, a farrier by training known to most as Charlie, began his amazing journey to unlock the mystery of laminitis in 1989. Starting with an idea of how laminitis originated, Charlie spent the next 17 years conducting research to refine his theory of the laminitis cascade. A self-educated scientist, Charlie turned to Colorado State University to test his theory that the laminitis cascade can be stopped at the mast cell.

With his theory confirmed, the task was to find a drug that would interrupt and halt the laminitis cascade by inhibiting mast cells. Charlie contacted a major hospital that specialized in immune system treatments, and they pointed to mast cell stabilizing drugs that might succeed. He selected two mast cell stabilizing drugs, cromolyn and nedocromil, that appeared promising and adopted the limb perfusion technique to deliver drugs to the affected lamellar tissue. He sponsored proof-of-concept studies with horses that had been induced with laminitis and observed that horses treated with Laminil recovered significantly faster than horses treated with a placebo. Charlie filed patent applications for use of mast cell stabilizing drugs to treat and prevent laminitis under the copyrighted name Laminil.

With proof of concept confirmed, Charlie took Laminil to the field to test it on horses with naturally occurring laminitis. A wide variety of horses with a wide variety of laminitis symptoms were involved in the field study. Over fifty horses in various stages of laminitis and in various conditions were involved. The results were similarly varied, except 92% of clients reported that “Laminil™ helped my horse,” none reported that “Laminil hurt my horse,” and ten reported that “Laminil™ saved my horse.”

Charlie’s theory of laminitis was confirmed. His concept of intercepting the laminitis cascade at the mast cell was validated. His discovery of mast cell inhibitors to treat laminitis was clearly established. Decades of devotion and persistence came to fruition in Laminil and brought new hope for horses with laminitis.

Mission Statement: Stop Laminitis

Every minute of every day, thousands of horses around the world endure the pain and suffering of laminitis. It takes the lives of tens of thousands of horses every year. It is the second leading medical cause of death. Yet, there has been no treatment for laminitis, until now. Laminil stops laminitis. It does not cure the disease. Laminil halts the inflammatory response and opens a window of opportunity for the horse to heal and recover. Our mission is to relieve the pain and suffering by making Laminil available to horses everywhere.

Who is Willowcroft Pharm?

Willowcroft Pharm Incorporated is a privately-held equine pharmaceutical company that develops innovative and effective treatments for horses. Our initial product, Laminil, is the first effective treatment for laminitis, which is the second leading cause of death in horses. Our next products will be similarly innovative and effective in treating common equine ailments.

The President, Dr. John Kelly, is an eventer who has written books and articles on topics ranging from whales to radioactive waste. After five years as a university professor, Dr. Kelly founded a consulting firm that specialized in managing nuclear materials worldwide. He ran the firm for 25 years, and now focuses on training horses and competing in three-day eventing. Over the past decade, Dr. Kelly has participated in several pharmaceutical start-ups as an advisor and investor.

In May 2016, at the request of his old fox-hunting friend, Charlie Owen, and with the enticement of saving horses, Dr. Kelly agreed to take the reins of Willowcroft Pharm and bring Laminil to market, which occurred in December 2016. Now, Dr. Kelly is building an international network of compounding pharmacies to make Laminil.

Many have contributed time, resources, and expertise to the development of Laminil. University faculty and staff helped Charlie go from test tubes to clinical trials and field studies in developing, testing, and confirming his theory of the laminitis cascade. Friends contributed resources and volunteered their horses in testing the product in development stages. Attorneys helped Charlie secure patents. Our webmaster, who cares for laminitic horses, has contributed countless hours to the Laminil.us website. Our compounding pharmacy partner has formulated Laminil products throughout the development process. Last and more important, hundreds of horses and their owners and veterinarians have participated in field studies, fortunately, with major benefit to the horses and no toxic effects. Now, the challenging work of marketing Laminil and the exciting work of saving horses begins.

Email
JohnKelly970@gmail.com

Willowcroft Pharm, Inc., is a privately held pharmaceutical company that repurposes human drugs for treatment of horses and other animals.

Dr. Scott Handlin, DVM, on full recovery of pregnant mare with laminitis after Laminil treatment