LAMINITIS

Laminitis refers to the condition in which the lamina within the hoof wall becomes inflamed. This condition results directly from disruption of proper blood flow thru the intricate loop of blood vessels supplying oxygen/nutrients to the hoof & lamina. This disruption can be caused by a variety of things including overeating of carbohydrates, concussion, allergies & drug reactions.

The severity of laminitis can vary from treatable & reversible to debilitating & permanent. The latter of which is termed "chronic laminitis" more commonly known as founder.

In the case of laminitis induced by overeating, here is the basic scenario. When a horse overeats grain (carbohydrate) or lush spring grass (rich in soluble carbohydrate) he is basically overloading his body's ability to digest the carbohydrate properly. Generally the majority of the digestion & absorption of carbohydrates (other than cellulose) occurs in the horse's small intestine. When a horse has eaten too much carbohydrate his body does not complete this digestion in the small intestine & the remaining undigested carbohydrate continues to the next part of the intestine, the large intestine, specifically the cecum. Here there are lots of bacteria that normally help digest fiber (ie. hay). When they see this extra load of carbohydrate they are more than happy to use it as their food source producing lots of lactic acid in the gut. This acid byproduct of fermentation lowers the pH of the gut & actually kills off the bacteria which then release chemicals called "endotoxins" when they die. Endotoxins then enter the blood stream & get carried to the foot where they interfere with circulation.

In laminitis, once the lamina becomes compromised it can turn from the consistency of an unripened pear (healthy) to a ripe pear. In other words, soft & mushy. Once the lamina becomes soft, it is prone to tear due to the strains put on it by the deep digital flexor & extensor tendons in the foot. Once the lamina begins to soften & tear, the coffin bone can then drop & rotate within the foot to the point that it can puncture the sole.