What Is Laminitis

Once a horse has had an episode of laminitis they are particularly susceptible to future episodes.

What is laminitis. Laminitis is a disease of the foot that can vary in severity from the merest hint of lameness to a situation described as sinking which can be fatal. Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates and is found mostly in horses and cattle clinical signs include foot tenderness progressing to inability to walk increased digital pulses and increased temperature in the hooves. Laminitis is a painful and potentially crippling disease that can be fatal to horses. 1 hormonal endocrine laminitis.

Laminitis should be thought of as a sign of a disease rather than a disease itself. Laminitis can be managed but not cured which is why prevention is so important. The causes of laminitis fall into three broad categories. Diseases with inflammation hormonal diseases and mechanical overload are just some of the causes of laminitis.

Laminitis is a crippling condition which can be fatal in severe cases. However founder usually refers to a chronic long term condition associated with rotation of the coffin bone whereas acute laminitis refers to symptoms associated with a sudden initial attack including pain and inflammation of the. The terms laminitis and founder are used interchangeably. Laminitis can affect one or all feet but it is most often seen in the front feet concurrently.