Laminitis (Founder, Sinking) Assist. Prof; Dr. Ahmed. H. F. AL-Bayati College of Veterinary Medicine Baghdad University

Laminitis (Founder, Sinking) Laminitis (Founder, Sinking) * It is an inflammation of laminaes of the hoof (sensitive & insensitive laminae) characterized by passive congestion of the sensitive laminae with blood. Commonly affected the forelimbs & rarely the hind limbs.

Etiology Etiology 1. Infectious laminitis: Occur due to endotoxin of bacteria, ex (Endometritis or retention of placenta). Occur due to endotoxin of bacteria, ex (Endometritis or retention of placenta). 2. Non infectious laminitis: A. Grain Founder. * Occur due to ingestion of large amount of grain (Toxic amount) * Occur due to ingestion of large amount of grain (Toxic amount) * Grain containing toxin called (Histiden), which convert into histamine by decarboxylation * Grain containing toxin called (Histiden), which convert into histamine by decarboxylation * Lead to gastroenteritis * Lead to gastroenteritis B. Water Founder. * Occur due to drinking of a large amount of cold water by over heated horse, that will be liberated the histamine. * Occur due to drinking of a large amount of cold water by over heated horse, that will be liberated the histamine. C. Road Founder. Occur due to local trauma. Occur due to local trauma. D. Grass founder. Occur due to obesity & ingestion of lush grass pasture (Alfa Alfa) Occur due to obesity & ingestion of lush grass pasture (Alfa Alfa) E. Hormonal causes. Some hormones caused liberation of the histamine, ex (Estrogen). Some hormones caused liberation of the histamine, ex (Estrogen). F. Viral respiratory diseases.

G. PPID Pituitary Pars Intermedial dysfunction (Equine Cushing's. D) G. PPID Pituitary Pars Intermedial dysfunction (Equine Cushing's. D) * One of the most common causes of laminitis. * Increased the risk of laminitis in older horses range age (3-15) Years. * Occur due to uncontrolled production of ACTH by pituitary gland. Curly hair coat (Hairsutism Curly hair coat (Hairsutism)

Symptoms Symptoms 1. Acute laminitis : A. Laminitis may be affected either front or all (4) feet's. B. The animal keeps his fore limbs in front of the body & hind limbs carried up and placed under the abdomen. C. Animal appeared great reluctance to move. D. Shot stapes stiff movement like walking over nails. Walking on the heel. E. Separation of sensitive and insensitive laminaes from horny laminae (Seedy Toe) with accumulation of exudation with painful by palpation's. F. In case of systemic infections, there is increased in * Body temperature (40-41C). * Respiratory rate. G. M.M congestion due to toxemia, Increased digital pulsation, trembling of muscles. H. Sever bleeding (when trimining ). I. Death may occur from acute laminitis (not common). I. Death may occur from acute laminitis (not common).

2. Chronic laminitis 1. Rotation of 3rd phalanx due to Laminae separation from hoof wall due to: * Weight of animal. * Weight of animal. * Pulling of 3rd phalanx by DDFT. * Pulling of 3rd phalanx by DDFT. * Ischemia in the insensitive Laminae * Ischemia in the insensitive Laminae (pressure by congested B.V of sensitive (pressure by congested B.V of sensitive Laminae). Laminae). * Inflammation. * Inflammation. 2. Sinking of 3rd phalanx. 3. Some horses loss the hoof completely, (10) days before typical laminitis ring are present (this begin as a crack at the coronary band & extended completely around the wall) Several weeks may elapse before slough of the hoof finally. 4. Difficult movement.

Normal hoof Singing phalanx

5. Abnormal growth of hoof (Laminitis ring) due to irregulatory in production of horny material through the hoof wall. 6. Toe pushed out through the sole within 72 hr.

Treatment Treatment 1. Stable rest. 2. Put the hoof in cold pack (water or ice). 3. Put the animal in soft ground (straw or sand) or inject with acepromazin ( mg/kg) as analgesic. 4. Bleeding the affected foot from sole by hoof knife till reaches the sole corium to decrease the level of congestion. 5. Removed the causative agent; * Give laxative (mineral oil or purgative). * Injection of anti-microbial agent or orally to treated the infection. * Administration of antihistaminic drug to reduced the effects of histamine.

6. Corticosteroid injection. 7. Nerve block (Median or Volar nerve). 8. Anti-tetanic serum. 9. Washing or soaking of foot with 10% sodium sulfa-pyridin. 10. Corrective shoeing (lowering heel, rasping the quarters). 11. Forced exercise to promote venous blood flow (local anesthesia or nerve block may help if pain sever). 12. Administration of Biotin (5.5mg/10kg), to release of sulphur containing amino acids to stimulate hoof growth. Prognosis Always unfavorable