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.
The same disease has several different causes, which include:
Using fly larvae to debride wounds is an age-old medicinal treatment that is finding new uses in modern medicine. Scott E. Morrison, DVM, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., spoke on using sterile maggot debridement therapy for foot
What causes laminitis? Is it the same as founder? Should I remove shoes from a horse with acute laminitis? Should I soak his feet? Does laminitis always have devastating consequences?
Can coffin bone rotation be improved or corrected in horses that have foundered?
Maintaining health and comfort of horses that have been diagnosed with laminitis can be a large undertaking, but it is imperative in order to maximize the overall quality of life for these animals.
Evelyn Pollard’s Saratoga County, winner of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (a Grade 1 race–G1) in the United Arab Emirates in late March, was euthanatized on July 29 after developing laminitis. The Thoroughbred was being treated for colitis
Jane McGarel-Groves was awarded 350,000 GBP (about $608,280 US) in damages after suing two veterinarians that treated her 14-year-old dressage horse Annastasia in 2001 with corticosteroid joint injections. The injections inadvertently caused
Founder. It’s one of those images that puts fear into our hearts. Donna’s initial onset occurred three years ago in December. Aaron Tangeman, DVM, examined her and took radiographs of both front feet.
Would black walnut tree shavings be safe to use as trail mulch?
What do you feed a horse with laminitis? Nothing, plus a bit of hay is a common diet. Does it work? Yes, and no. Expert opinions and modern research are showing that, in some cases, nothing might be the wrong answer when it comes to feedstuffs,
The second most-common killer of our horses after colic is laminitis. The disease is a crisis, and it is often chronic and life-altering. It can be caused by illness unrelated to the foot, such as a retained placenta or grain overload. It can be
A survey of American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) members identified laminitis as the number one disease that requires research. Therefore, the Equine Laminitis Research Meeting and Panel will be held in
Darley lost one of its flagship Irish stallions Saturday with the death of In The Wings, winner of the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) and a proven European classic sire.
The 18 year-old son of Sadler’s Wells–High Hawk (by Shirley
Researchers recently revealed that Cushing’s disease is a major contributing factor to laminitis among horses in a primary care veterinary practice, and that the median age of laminitic Cushing’s horses was 15 1/2 years–disproving tha
The venogram, a procedure for visualizing blood flow within the foot, has been acclaimed by many as an essential tool for treating lame horses, especially laminitic ones.
We all should be aware of our level of competence with foot problems–horse owners, veterinarians, and farriers. Since there is no formal education in the field of podiatry, training must be sought on an individual basis.
?Never use only clinical assessment to estimate the progress of a laminitic horse,? began Ric Redden, DVM, moderator of the laminitis Sunrise Session on Dec. 7 and founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky. ?X rays an
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