When there is disruption of the blood flow to the laminae, inflammation and swelling within the hoof result in severe pain and lameness. The resulting death of sensitive lamina leads to a loss of attachment of the sensitive lamina of the bone to the insensitive lamina of the hoof.
Laminitis can be acute or chronic.
The term founder is often associated with chronic laminitis and resultant rotation or sinking of the distal phalanx within the hoof. The purpose of this article is to investigate the causes, clinical signs, and treatment of acute laminitis. Clinical Signs Lameness is the most common clinical sign associated with laminitis in the horse. It may affect one or all of the feet. Typically it affects the front feet.