Laminitis (Founder)

Laminitis (commonly called “founder”) affects an estimated 7-14% of the world’s equine population. It’s the inflammation of the tiny, interwoven lamellae that attach a horse’s hoof to the underlying coffin bone (third phalanx, or P3) and support the horse’s entire body weight. Anything that impacts the integrity of the lamellae, such as inflammation, weakens their hold. This causes the coffin bone to displace within the hoof capsule and move toward the ground. The condition is very painful and is often life-threatening to horses.

Causes of Laminitis

The same disease has several different causes, which include:

  • Endocrine-associated laminitis, which is the most common cause, occurs in horses with insulin dysregulation, often due to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, or equine Cushing’s disease ), and exacerbated by ingestion of starch and sugars in feed or pasture (grass founder).
  • Sepsis-related laminitis is due to toxins in the bloodstream of sick horses (e.g., those with diarrhea, colic, retained placenta, or metritis—uterine infection);
  • Supporting-limb laminitis, which is caused by excessive weight bearing on a limb as a result of a painful injury in the opposite limb (e.g., fracture).

Clinical Signs (Symptoms) of Laminitis in Horses

  • Reluctance or inability to walk, or profound lameness;
  • Frequent weight shifting;
  • Abnormal stance and weight distribution to relieve pressure on the affected limb(s);
  • Increased heart and respiratory rate, and sweating;
  • Glazed, pained facial expression;
  • Bounding digital arterial pulses; and
  • Feet that are consistently warmer than usual to the touch.
Subcategories:
None

‘We’re in a Marathon,’ Says Barbaro’s Vet

Day to day, for six straight days now, the reports on Barbaro have been good.
Good vitals, good attitude, stable.


Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, Chief of Surgery, is looking way beyond those daily updates, however.


“Hi

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Prosthetics for Horse Limbs

When a horse has an injury such as happened to Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), the end result has often been euthanasia. Veterinarians are attempting to save Barbaro’s life, and limb. However, if the blood supply t

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Barbaro’s Condition Unchanged

Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, reports that Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro remains in stable condition with good vital signs today (July 19). “He spends several hours a day in a

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Prado Encouraged by Visit to Barbaro

Jockey Edgar Prado drove to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa. Friday morning to visit ailing Classic winner Barbaro at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals.


At a press briefing on

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Sunday is Another ‘Comfortable’ Day for Barbaro

Classic winner Barbaro spent another “comfortable” day in the intensive care unit at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, and his veterinarian reports the colt’s attitude “remains positive.”


There was no indication condition

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Barbaro’s Vital Signs Monday; No Change in Condition

Barbaro’s vital signs, appetite and heart rate remained normal Monday, though there was no indication the classic winner’s condition has improved since a grim prognosis by his veterinarian last week.


The colt, who had 80% of his left rea

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Barbaro Stable, Comfortable With Foot Cast

Barbaro is tolerating his right hind leg cast well; this cast supports the repair of the injury suffered at the Preakness on May 20. To treat a severe case of laminitis in the colt’s left rear hoof, last week Richardson and his surgical team

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Barbaro Stable on Sunday

On July 16 (Sunday afternoon) it was reported that Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro remained in stable condition after another restful night, according to Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson, DVM, of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton

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Barbaro Remains Stable

Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson, DVM, reports today (July 15) that Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro had a very good night and remains in stable condition at the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital.


?His heart rate and

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Barbaro’s Condition “Stable” Friday

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro spent a restful night and his condition is stable, according to Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, Chief of Surgery. At a news conference yesterday, Richardson announced that the three-year-old colt has laminitis.

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Fans Root for Barbaro’s Recovery

The roses on the lobby table were addressed to “Mr. Barbaro Jackson” and the card said best wishes to a champion horse.


One girl and her family drove more than an hour to deliver a homemade get-well note and to let Barbaro know they were

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Critical Care In the Field

How does your veterinarian keep up with what is best for your horses? By attending continuing education that covers areas of interest and provides him with lectures and one-on-one time with experts in various fields. Each year, Hagyard Equine

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