Cattle Laminitis Definition

Laminitis also termed founder is inflammation of the laminae of the foot the soft tissue structures that attach the coffin or pedal bone of the foot to the hoof wall.

Cattle laminitis definition.

With the exception of supporting limb laminitis which generally occurs in the foot opposite to the leg that is severely lame laminitis both sirs and endocrine is systemic definition. Correct grain overload keeping the animal moving and the claws cool. Affecting the entire body and therefore the factors causing laminitis can affect any foot. The etiology of subclinical laminitis in cattle is not understood.

Since the outside claw of the rear foot is most often affected cows tend to stand cow hocked. Antihistamines may be useful e g. Nsaid non steroidal anti inflammatory drug injectable ketoprofen 2 to 4 mg kg im iv. The coronary band is covered with a rough fringe of horn and the hoof appears rippled.

Speaking to a large crowd at the national cattlemen s beef association s cattleman s college in denver today tom edwards dvm kearney neb offered some tips on laminitis and responsible handling of downed cattle. This causes gram negative organisms to die and release vasoactive endotoxins. However founder usually refers to a chronic long term condition associated with rotation of the coffin bone whereas acute laminitis refers to symptoms associated with a sudden initial. Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates and is found mostly in horses and cattle clinical signs include foot tenderness progressing to inability to walk increased digital pulses and increased temperature in the hooves.

The classic hypothesis suggests that high levels of carbohydrate in the diet see subacute ruminal acidosis invoke an increase of streptococcus bovis and lactobacillus spp which induce a state of acidosis in the rumen. Cattle with chronic laminitis slipper foot usually have overgrown disfigured hooves. Cattle infected with mycoplasma bovis are at risk of joint infection. The terms laminitis and founder are used interchangeably.

Injectable diphenhydramine 0 5 to 1 0 mg kg iv im. The term subclinical laminitis has been introduced for this condition 45 46. The inflammation and damage to the laminae causes extreme pain and leads to instability of the coffin bone in the hoof. Abnormal growth in chronic cows can lead to abnormal wear which predisposes.

Laminitis can affect one or all feet but it is most often seen in the front feet concurrently.