What Is Laminitis In Horses

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.

What is laminitis in horses.

Laminitis can be managed but not cured which is why prevention is so important. Cortisol and inflammatory factors that can all ultimately trigger changes in the foot that lead to laminitis. Once a horse has had an episode of laminitis they are particularly susceptible to future episodes. Laminitis results from the disruption constant intermittent or short term of blood flow to the sensitive and insensitive laminae.

Laminitis is a disease that causes lameness in horses. Diseases with inflammation hormonal diseases and mechanical overload are just some of the causes of laminitis. Obese horses also put more load on their feet. Obesity is a risk factor for laminitis because internal fat particularly in the abdominal region omental fat is hormonally active excreting hormone releasing factors hormones e g.

It can often cause lameness in two or all four feet at one time but it is preventable. Laminitis commonly known as founder is a painful disease that causes severe lameness in horses. It was once associated primarily with overweight ponies but it can affect any age or size of horse. Laminitis is a painful and potentially crippling disease that can be fatal to horses.