Big Kiss loses battle with laminitis at age 6

Posted on: April 23, 2015

Big Kiss was put down on July 11, 2014, due to continuing issues in his hind end resulting from laminitis. He was 6.

The bay gelding was born in 2008.

He developed laminitis from grain overload in June 2013. He suffered from OBEL grade 4 laminitis, the most severe grade, for a year and spent much of that time lying down, permanently affecting his back.

Charlie Owen, developer of Laminil, a potential treatment for laminitis, agreed to transport Big Kiss from Kentucky to Colorado to treat him. The idea was to do a live case study that horse lovers could follow to see how Laminil worked through regular updates and videos. It was also a chance for investors to evaluate the drug.

It was clear from the outset that Big Kiss had suffered greatly from the laminitis. His radiographs showed the extensive damage to his feet. His bed sores had two types of infection. He was treated with antibiotics, and a tube was inserted in one bed sore to help drain the pus. Big Kiss was given a poor prognosis, but he had heart and mounted a promising early comeback.

On June 18, two days after his second Laminil treatment and 16 days after he arrived, the vet upgraded his condition to OBEL grade 2 and said he was noticeably improved, standing, holding his front legs underneath him and walking without much resistance. Still, the vet had concerns about his back and said back pain could cause just as much pain as laminitic feet.

Big Kiss ran his last race in April 2013. He was by Southern Image out of Fair Kris and had 28 starts with 7 firsts, 9 seconds and 3 thirds. His career winnings totaled $95,000.