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:
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Barbaro Remains Comfortable on Both Hind Limbs

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro remains comfortable according to veterinarians at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital. “Barbaro is doing well on both hind limbs,” said Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, Chief of Surgery. “Because of this, we do not

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Talkin’ Horses Transcript: Dean Richardson

Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, the head of surgery at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, has been in the public eye since May 20 when he began treating Kentucky Derby winner

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A Very Good Week for Barbaro

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to do well, and is being hand-grazed for 20-30 minutes a day. “His blood work is completely normal and his vital signs are good,” said Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, Chief of Surgery. “I can’t complain.

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Breath of Fresh Air for Barbaro, Gaining Weight

After almost three months in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital, Barbaro has begun brief outings to some grassy areas adjacent to the ICU to hand graze.


“We felt he was ready for

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Barbaro’s Right Hind Leg Healing Well

By now, Barbaro should have been close to casting aside any doubts that he could make a full recovery from the devastating right hind leg injuries he suffered at the Preakness Stakes.


Instead, the winner of the Kentucky Derby still has a

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Barbaro’s Condition Continues to Remain Stable

Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, reports that Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s condition continues to be stable. The colt’s left hind foot, which has laminitis, is monitored closely for signs of infection.

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Barbaro Remains Stable; Radiographs Look Good

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to be stable after another comfortable night according to Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. His right hind leg cast was changed late Wednesday. “We took new radiographs, and they look good,”

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Through Cast Changes, Barbaro Remains Stable

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro had an uneventful weekend, and continues to be comfortable according to his doctors at the George D. Widener Hospital. “He’s maintaining an excellent attitude,” said Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS.

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‘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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