2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Vascular changes have been observed both in the carbohydrate overload (CHO) and black walnut extract (BWE) models of acute sepsis-related laminitis (SRL) laminitis, and therefore it has been suggested that vasoconstriction or dysfunction may occur during the prodromal stage of laminitis, resulting in a decreased blood flow to the lamellar tissues. A number of drugs with vasoactive properties have been used in the treatment of laminitis; these drugs have been used most in SRL, where lamellar ischemia was thought to be the central event resulting in lamellar failure during the early stages of laminitis. Acetylpromazine (acepromazine) is a phenothiazine derivative and is a frequently used tranquilizer in the horse. Phenoxybenzamine is another phenothiazine derivative, which has also been used in the prevention and treatment of acute laminitis. Domperidone is a benzimidazole derivative which exhibits similar receptor antagonist profiles to acepromazine and phenoxybenzamine. Others include pentoxifylline, isoxsuprine hydrochloride, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
