Laminitis or founder

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Laminitis or Founder.

( What the caretaker should know)

Laminitis and Founder are words often used as synonyms. They are not. Laminitis is an inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the foot. Founder is an old nautical term meaning to sink. It is now used to describes the chronic stage of the disease. The sensitive laminae and the insensitive laminae are the tissues that hold the hoof to the bone of the horses foot. In humans it is called the nail plate. If you have ever hit your thumb with a hammer you have had laminitis and you have some idea of what it feels like.

Laminitis can affect one, or all of the feet. It affects the front feet more often. Laminitis is the acute stage of the problem. Founder or rotation are some of the chronic result of laminitis. Founder and rotation are the results of severe laminitis and are the chronic manifestations of the disease. They are cause and effect. Some of the things that can trigger laminitis are, overweight, overfeeding, too much water after exercise, lack of exercise, local infections, bearing to much weight for a long time, (Like a long van ride), running on hard surfaces, a retained placenta and some plants can cause allergic reactions. Snake root and black walnut trees are said to be problems. Ponies seem more prone to the disease than larger horses. Some animals are more susceptible than others. There seems to be a an increased susceptibility to laminitis after an initial incident much as some people have more severe reactions to bee stings after the repeated happenings.

The onset of laminitis probably begins hours before pain is evident. A period of twenty to seventy two hours has been suggested. During this period, veterinary intervention can be most effective but it is least likely to happen. Early diagnosis is difficult and depends on careful observation and familiarity with the individual animal. Nervousness or anxiety, and an elevated, pounding pulse, profuse sweating, are early signs of laminitis. These signs are followed by obvious pain. There is a typical stance. The animal pushes its feet forward, or moves the body back to get the weight off the front of the feet. (See figure 1.).

If all four feet are involved, the horse may arch it's back and lower it's head. To notice the very early signs, the caretaker needs to be familiar with the animal in question. It is a good idea to know how to find your horses digital pulse. It is not an easy thing to do. It takes some practice. It is also a good idea to be familiar with your horses baseline pulse at rest and after exercise. Checking pulse takes but a moment and it is a pretty good indicator of his well being. Horses are as individual as humans. For pulse to be a useful tool, you need to be familiar with the individual. Make it part of your grooming routine. When you pick up a foot to pick it, feel the pulse. It won't take any extra time and it will tell you something about your horse.

Laminitis is a disease that can be so mild that you are not aware that it has happened or it can be severe enough to result in death in a matter of days. It is a matter of great concern to the owner or caretaker. You should be aware of the causes, symptoms, and emergency treatments. The most important thing is to call your veterinarian and your farrier as soon as there is any suspicion of the disease. The vet and the Farrier will work together. The veterinarian will provide the chemical therapies and the farrier will offer the mechanical help. The first aid of choice is to support the frogs with frog support shoes, Lillypads, or rolls of bandaging taped to the bottom of the feet and to get the affected feet into a cold environment. Cold running water or better an ice bath. Time is of the essence. Don't wait to get help!