Laminitis In Hind Feet Only

A sawhorse stance with the front feet stretched out in front to alleviate pressure on the toes and the hind feet positioned under them to support the weight that their front feet cannot.

Laminitis in hind feet only. Most cases of laminitis occur in both front feet but laminitis may be seen in all four feet both hind feet or in cases of support limb laminitis in a single foot. Laminitis is characterised by lameness involving one or more feet which is often rapid in onset. Rings in hoof wall that become wider as they are followed from toe to heel. Occasionally laminitis occurs in only one foot often as a result of excessive load bearing due to a severe lameness of the opposite leg.

But rare does not mean impossible. Founder from laminitis has been known to occur in only the hind feet but it is extremely rare. A non metabolic condition that can cause founder is called road founder or concussion. The mechanism remains unclear and is the subject of much research.

Many people don t have hind feet x rayed they should. Regardless of whether or not the hind feet are stressed or have suffered from laminitis i treat the hind feet in much the same way as the front feet. Bruised soles or stone. Therefore it is unlikely for them to suspect that a multitude of other problems can cause.

Is road founder different from regular founder. Laminitis is often less severe in the hind limbs but in some horses it is more severe in the hind limbs or even on one side of the horse. It has been proposed that factors affecting which feet are more severely affected include weight bearing hoof angle hoof balance. Often the fronts are worse sometimes the hinds sometimes 3 feet sometimes 1 but nearly always there is an increased digital pulse or hoof rings or stretched white line in all 4 feet and x rays confirm laminitis in all 4.

So the most lilkely culprit is some trauma to the hind feet that is why i asked about wall kicking. Three conditions are thought to cause secondary laminitis. Both front feet are usually affected but hind feet can be involved as well. The presence of signs of treatment for a flexural deformity in the form of desmotomy scars or a history of previously upright conformation helps conform that heel lowering may have caused laminitis.

I perform founder trims on them as well.