Laminitis or Founder in Horses

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Laminitis or Founder in Horses

By: Dr. Philip Johnson

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Section: Symptoms

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What to Watch For

The fore feet are much more commonly affected that the hind feet, and the most common clinical presentation includes signs of lameness and stiffness. You may notice the following:

Severely affected horses exhibit reluctance or refusal to move when prompted. The pain of laminitis is sufficiently severe as to cause affected horses to prefer to lie down for protracted periods of time.

There is a characteristic stance and gait – affected horses tend to attempt to bear more weight on their hind feet to protect the fore feet and, in so doing, tend to draw their center of gravity back over the hind feet. The hind feet occupy an unusually forward position under the body (when standing and when moving). The fore feet tend to be pushed forwards in front of the body such that weight bearing is shifted into the heel area of the affected feet.

There is marked reluctance to permit feet to be picked up because the opposite hoof is so painful when bearing weight.

There may be soft tissue swelling under the skin of the lower limbs and an apprehensive facial expression (pain).

There may be inappetance, colic, and weight loss.

In time, the presence of laminitis leads to abnormal growth of the hoof wall. Disturbances in the growth of hoof wall can be appreciated on inspection of the growth rings that run around the hoof wall. In addition to the growth rings, the sole of affected feet tends to be "dropped" (convex) and the laminitic process has widened the white line zone (at the sole). With substantial weight loss, pain, and protracted recumbency, many decubital ulcers (skin erosions) typically develop at the points of bony prominences.

It should be noted that severely laminitic horses often appear to be exhibiting neurological signs or signs of abdominal pain (colic). In actual fact, they are in so much pain as a result of inflammation in their feet. Some laminitic horses tend to shake their painful feet – especially those affected in the hind feet.

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1 Foot Abscess
Foot abscesses are usually the result of a deep bruise or an injury that penetrates the sole of the foot. For example, a misdirected nail can cause enough injury to start an abscess.
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2 Colic
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1Foot Abscess
Foot abscesses are usually the result of a deep bruise or an injury that penetrates the sole of the foot. For example, a misdirected nail can cause enough injury to start an abscess.
Read More
2Suspensory Ligament Injuries
Suspensory ligament injuries commonly occur in performance horses as a result of sudden overextension of the limb during weight bearing. Ligamentous injuries can be career and occasionally life threatening....
Read More
3Tendon Injuries
Tendons are comprised of collagen fibers that are arranged in such a manner to allow the tendons to be elastic in nature. When strains occur, the collagen fibers break, which resaults in inflammation,...
Read More
4Colic
Signs of colic vary among horses, but an observant and knowledgeable owner usually suspects the onset of colic before overt symptoms appear, especially if the owner is familiar with the normal behavior...
Read More
5Fescue Agalactia
Fescue agalactia is a problem for brood mares and occurs when mares ingest tall fescue during pregnancy. The disease is named for the fact that the udder does not develop and cannot secrete milk, causing...
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Laminitis or Founder in Horses

Laminitis or Founder in Horses

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