Laminitis literally means inflammation of the laminae, and while it remains controversial whether this is the primary mechanism of disease, evidence of inflammation occurs very early in some instances of the disease. A severe inflammatory event is thought to damage the basal epithelial cells, resulting in dysfunction of the hemidesmosomes and subsequent reduction in adherence between the epithelial cells and the basement membrane. Normal forces placed on the hoof are then strong enough to tear the remaining laminae, resulting in a failure of the interdigitation of the epidermal and dermal laminae between the hoof wall and the coffin bone. When severe enough, this results in displacement of the coffin bone within the hoof capsule.
Pathophysiology
Laminitis
Laminitis | Pathophysiology
A severe inflammatory event is thought to damage the basal epithelial cells, resulting in dysfunction of the hemidesmosomes and subsequent reduction in adherence between the epithelial cells and the basement membrane. Normal forces placed on the hoof are then strong enough to tear the remaining laminae, resulting in a failure of the interdigitation of the epidermal and dermal laminae between the hoof wall and the coffin bone. It has multiple causes, some of which commonly occur together. Sorry. I cannot find the answer based on the context. Laminitis has multiple causes, some of which commonly occur together. These causes can be grouped into broad categories.
how many lengths did secretariat win the belmont stakes
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31 lengths.
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who was "secretariat"?
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An American Thoroughbred racehorse.
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who owned this horse?
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Penny Chenery.
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how many years did it's career is racing last?
user
From 1972 to 1973.
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which was the last race the horse competed in?
user
Canadian International Stakes .
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where is this competition held?
user
Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.
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who built this racetrack?
user
The Ontario Jockey Club under E.P. Taylor.
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how did the above mentioned horse die?
user
He was euthanized.
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why was he euthanized?
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Secretariat became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition. When his condition failed to improve after a month of treatment, he was euthanized.
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what is the cause of this illness?
user
In the fall of 1989, Secretariat became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition. When his condition failed to improve after a month of treatment, he was euthanized on October 4 at the age of 19. Secretariat was buried at Claiborne Farm, given the rare honor of being buried whole (traditionally only the head, heart, and hooves of a winning race horse are buried). At the time of Secretariat's death, the veterinarian who performed the necropsy, Dr. Thomas Swerczek, head pathologist at the University of Kentucky, did not weigh Secretariat's heart, but stated, "We just stood there in stunned silence.
Secretariat (horse) | Death
Laminitis literally means inflammation of the laminae, and while it remains controversial whether this is the primary mechanism of disease, evidence of inflammation occurs very early in some instances of the disease. A severe inflammatory event is thought to damage the basal epithelial cells, resulting in dysfunction of the hemidesmosomes and subsequent reduction in adherence between the epithelial cells and the basement membrane. Normal forces placed on the hoof are then strong enough to tear the remaining laminae, resulting in a failure of the interdigitation of the epidermal and dermal laminae between the hoof wall and the coffin bone. When severe enough, this results in displacement of the coffin bone within the hoof capsule.
Laminitis | Pathophysiology
The mechanism remains unclear and is the subject of much research. Three conditions are thought to cause secondary laminitis: Inflammatory events that are associated with laminitis include sepsis, endotoxemia, retained placenta, carbohydrate overload (excessive grain or pasture), enterocolitis, pleuropneumonia, and contact with black walnut shavings. In these cases, there is an increase in blood flow to the hoof, bringing in damaging substances and inflammatory cells into the hoof. Endocrinopathy is usually the result of improper insulin regulation, and is most commonly seen with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (also called equine Cushing's syndrome) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), as well as obesity and glucocorticoid administration.
Laminitis | Mechanism
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. Severe cases with outwardly visible clinical signs are known by the colloquial term founder, and progression of the disease will lead to perforation of the coffin bone through the sole of the hoof or being unable to stand up, requiring euthanasia.
Laminitis | Introduction
As evidenced by the death of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, not all racehorse fatalities are the direct result of injury. It wasn't the break in Barbaro's leg that necessitated his destruction, but the hoof disease laminitis. Barbaro's team of doctors, led by Dr. Dean Richardson, were able to repair his broken leg, but not the excruciatingly painful laminitis that followed. Support limb laminitis, which is the specific type Barbaro had, is caused by over-stressing the good leg during recovery from an injury in the opposite limb. A 1986 survey done by the Morris Animal Foundation found that laminitis was the fourth leading cause of death among horses.
Racehorse injuries | International Thoroughbred fatality rates
Support-limb laminitis occurs in horses with a severe, unilateral lameness that causes them to not bear weight on one leg. The contralateral (opposite) leg then bears all of the weight, which reduces blood flow to the hoof and strains the attachments of the laminae, leading to laminitis. Although support-limb laminitis is a risk for any horse that is not weight-bearing lame, occurring in roughly 16% of cases, it is uncommon in foals and yearlings. It usually occurs weeks to months after the initial cause of lameness, and greatly increases the likelihood of euthanasia of the patient. Support-limb laminitis was the primary cause for euthanasia of the racehorse Barbaro.
Treatment of equine lameness | Laminitis prevention
Normal blood circulation in the lower limbs of a horse depends in part on the horse moving about. Lack of sufficient movement, alone or in combination with other factors, can cause stagnant anoxia, which in turn can cause laminitis. A horse favoring an injured leg will both severely limit its movement and place greater weight on the other legs. This sometimes leads to static laminitis, particularly if the animal is confined in a stall. A notable example is the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. Transport laminitis sometimes occurs in horses confined in a trailer or other transportation for long periods of time.
Laminitis | Poor blood circulation
Although Toussaud met with much success in the breeding shed, she was often ill and became too physically fragile to rear her own foals. In 1995, she developed laminitis after producing her first foal, Chester House, and five years later she underwent colic surgery to fix an impaction. Her propensity for illness seems to be another trait she passed on to her offspring, as both Chester House and Chiselling where struck with debilitating diseases, though neither sickness was genetically inherited. Toussaud was pensioned in late December 2007 due to her worsening laminitis. Toussaud was euthanized in 2009 at the age of 20 due to declining health and complications from laminitis.
Toussaud | Death
Horses are also susceptible to laminitis, a disease of the lamina of the hoof. Laminitis has many causes, but the most common is related to a sugar and starch overload from a horse overeating certain types of food, particularly too much pasture grass high in fructan in early spring and late fall, or by consuming excessive quantities of grain.
Equine nutrition | Laminitis
The destruction of the sensitive laminae results in the hoof wall becoming separated from the rest of the hoof, so that it drops within the hoof capsule. Sinking may be symmetrical, i.e., the entire bone moves distally, or asymmetric, where the lateral or medial aspect of the bone displaces distally. Pus may leak out at the white line or at the coronary band. In extreme cases, this event allows the tip to eventually penetrate the sole of the foot. A severe "sinker" usually warrants the gravest prognosis and may, depending upon many factors, including the quality of aftercare, age of the horse, diet and nutrition, skill, and knowledge and ability of the attending veterinarian and farrier(s), lead to euthanasia of the patient.
Laminitis | Rotation, sinking, and founder
On December 10, 2009, Kip Deville was reported to be suffering from laminitis in both front feet and has been given a 20 percent chance to survive. Kip Deville's owners reported that he was recovering from laminitis and has "improved significantly" in a January 27, 2010 article. March 2, 2010, Bloodhorse reported that Kip Deville was ready to leave the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital to continue his convalescence in a layup facility. On June 11, 2010, Bloodhorse announced that Kip Deville was euthanized after suffering severe setbacks.
Kip Deville | Laminitis
Daliapour died aged 19 in August 2015 as a result of laminitis.
Daliapour | Introduction
Complications to laminitis include recurrent hoof abscesses, which are sometimes secondary to pedal osteitis, seromas, and fractures to the solar margin of the coffin bone.
Laminitis | Complications
Maria's Mon died of severe laminitis, which may have resulted from equine Cushing's syndrome, on September 14, 2007 at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky.
Maria's Mon | Introduction
He lost weight, and suffering from fever, colitis and diarrhea was given plasma and "aggressive" antibiotic treatment. The medical staff were also worried, because a systemic illness with intestinal inflammation, such as colitis, is a common precursor to laminitis, a painful inflammation of the internal structures of the hoof. The staff had been using cryotherapy on his lower legs as a precaution. Although his blood test results and protein levels began to stabilize, he nevertheless developed laminitis in three of his feet on September 4, ten days after he arrived at the center. The veterinarians treating Paynter put casts on his lower legs to support his feet.
Paynter (horse) | Illness and surgery
Cooling of the hoof in the developmental stages of laminitis has been shown to have a protective effect when horses are experimentally exposed to carbohydrate overload. Feet placed in ice slurries were less likely to experience laminitis than "uniced" feet. Cryotherapy reduces inflammatory events in the lamellae. Ideally, limbs should be placed in an ice bath up to the level of the knee or hock. Hooves need to be maintained at a temperature less than 10 degrees Celsius at the hoof wall, for 24–72 hours. In the case of a full-blown case of laminitis, use of a cold water spa proved effective in the treatment of Bal a Bali.
Laminitis | Cryotherapy
Because the right fore was not load bearing during his recovery from the infection, his left fore had to bear the extra weight and developed laminitis. Over the next several months, the laminitis was stabilized and Country House was then turned out to pasture. He is expected to fully recover but will never be able to race again.
Country House (horse) | Racing career
His handlers continued with the spa treatment and were soon able to turn the horse out for brief periods to forage for grass. A vibration plate was also used to help restore circulation in the hoof. Over the next months, his handlers gradually increased the amount of exercise to build up muscle while regrowing the hoof. He was first put on a walker, then had weight added, then finally started light jogging on a nearby training track.
Bal a Bali | Laminitis
The deep digital flexor tendon places a constant pull on the back of the coffin bone. This is sometimes counteracted by decreasing the palmar angle of the hoof by raising the heels, often with the use of special shoes which have a wedge in the heel of approximately 20 degrees. Shoes are usually glued or cast onto the foot so painful nailing does not have to take place. The position of P3 within the hoof is monitored with radiographs. Once the horse has improved, the wedge of the shoe must be slowly reduced back to normal.
Laminitis | Trimming and shoeing
In July 2014, Bal a Bali was sold for $1.5 million to Fox Hill Farm, owned by Rick Porter, and Siena Farm. He was shipped to a quarantine facility in Miami and arrived with a scrape on his hind leg. A veterinarian was called in and detected signs of impending laminitis, a hoof condition that causes serious pain and is a leading cause of death in horses. The horse was quickly moved to Palm Beach Equine Clinic, where early and aggressive action proved to be the key to the horse's survival. Dr Vernon Dryden of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital said that Bal a Bali had full-blown laminitis: the coffin bone was displaced and had rotated down and away from the wall of the hoof.
Bal a Bali | Laminitis
The bones of the hoof are suspended within the axial hooves of ungulates by layers of modified skin cells, known as laminae or lamellae, which act as shock absorbers during locomotion. In horses, there are about 550–600 pairs of primary epidermal laminae, each with 150–200 secondary laminae projection from their surface. These interdigitate with equivalent structures on the surface of the coffin bone (PIII, P3, the third phalanx, pedal bone, or distal phalanx), known as dermal laminae. The secondary laminae contain basal cells which attach via hemidesmosomes to the basement membrane. The basement membrane is then attached to the coffin bone via the connective tissue of the dermis.
Laminitis | Laminae
Clinical signs at this time include bounding digital pulses, lameness, heat, and possibly response to hoof testing.
Laminitis | Phases of laminitis
Also, ligaments attaching the collateral cartilages to the digit, primarily in the palmar portion of the foot, possibly contribute to a difference in support from front to back. The body weight of the animal probably contributes to rotation of the coffin bone. Rotation results in an obvious misalignment between PII (the short pastern bone) and PIII (the coffin bone). If rotation of the third phalanx continues, its tip can eventually penetrate the sole of the foot. Sinking is less common and much more severe. It results when a significant failure of the interdigitation between the sensitive and insensitive laminae around a significant portion of the hoof occurs.
Laminitis | Rotation, sinking, and founder
Star Standard avenged his Gulfstream loss. On October 22, 1997, Star Standard had to be pulled off of the race track during an allowance race at Keeneland. Injuries that had kept him out of racing for a year had taken a more life-threatening surge to a condition known as laminitis, which his grandfather Secretariat was euthanized for. Initially, treatments appeared to be healing; but by early December, he had stopped responding to treatments and could not stand. The decision was made to euthanize him on the morning on December 9, leaving him with the same fate as his grandfather, but at a much younger age.
Star Standard | Four-year-old season
Normally, the front of the third phalanx is parallel to the hoof wall and its lower surface should be roughly parallel to the ground surface. A single severe laminitic episode or repeated, less severe episodes can, depending upon the degree of separation of dermal and epidermal laminae, lead to either rotation or sinking of the pedal bone, both of which result in anatomical changes in the position of the coffin bone with visible separation of the laminae, colloquially known as founder. Rotation and distal displacement may occur in the same horse. Both forms of displacement may lead to the coffin bone penetrating the sole.
Laminitis | Rotation, sinking, and founder
Whilst diet has long been known to be linked to laminitis, there is emerging evidence that breed and body condition also play a role. Levels of hormones, particularly adiponectin, and serum insulin are also implicated, opening up new possibilities for developing early prognostic tests and risk assessments.
Laminitis | Risk factors
The initial pain and lameness usually respond rapidly to treatment, but the swelling may persist for many weeks. In addition, once a horse has had an episode, it appears to be predisposed to recurrence, and may suffer from "filled legs" permanently – i.e. if left in a stable and relatively immobile, poor lymphatic circulation results in a passive oedema of the previously affected limb, that dissipates on exercise. In more severe cases, the limb may never return to normal size. In these cases, permanent scarring of the lymphatics and other tissues is likely. Treatment in these cases is unrewarding, and euthanasia may be indicated if the condition causes unmanageable lameness.
Equine lymphangitis | Outcome
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 | Pathophysiology
Leukoencephalomalacia is a neurotoxic disease of horses. Outbreaks of this disease in the 20th century resulted in a number of studies. Apparently FB was the cause for this disease. There were shown elevated levels of serum enzyme levels that indicate liver damage. They were normally observed by an elevation of the sphinganine/sphingosine ratio. FB possibly induces cardiovascular function, because of the elevated sphinganine/sphingosine ratio. This could be one of the main factors that causes leukoencephalomalacia.
Fumonisin B1 | Equine leukoencephalomalacia
However, his trainer Richard Mandella convinced the owners to keep the horse active for another year and Bal a Bali responded by winning the Frank E. Kilroe Mile and Shoemaker Mile Stakes. He is the second survivor of laminitis to return and win a Grade I race (the first being Lady Eli in the 2016 Flower Bowl), marking significant progress in the treatment of the disease.
Bal a Bali | Introduction
Radiographs are an important part of evaluating the laminitic horse. They not only allow the practitioner to determine the severity of the episode, which does not always correlate with degree of pain, but also to gauge improvement and response to treatment. Several measurements are made to predict severity. Additionally, radiographs also allow the visualization and evaluation of the hoof capsule, and can help detect the presence of a lamellar wedge or seromas. The lateral view provides the majority of the information regarding degree of rotation, sole depth, dorsal hoof wall thickness, and vertical deviation. A 65-degree dorsopalmar view is useful in the case of chronic laminitis to evaluate the rim of the coffin bone for pathology.
Laminitis | Radiographs
There are various methods for treating laminitis, and opinions vary on which are most useful. Additionally, the each horse and affected hoof should be evaluated individually to determine the best treatment plan, which may change with time. Ideally, affected hooves are re-evaluated on a regular basis once treatment commences to track progress.
Laminitis | Treatment
He was soon diagnosed with a Grade 3 level of cervical vertebral malformation syndrome, a spinal disorder commonly referred to by horsemen as the "wobbles". The disease means the horse will likely never race and usually results in their having to be euthanized because their condition can cause them to collapse without warning that could result in severe injury to a handler. Shipped to specialists at Ohio State University, x-rays and a myelogram confirmed the condition. As such, his breeder/owners filed an insurance claim and turned ownership over to the insurance company where the colt became a standard case for euthanasia.
Shamardal | Background
Laminitis has multiple causes, some of which commonly occur together. These causes can be grouped into broad categories.
Laminitis | Causes
"Founder rings," or thickened concentric rings in the hoof wall, indicate a past episode of laminitis. Concavity of the dorsal (front) surface of the hoof can indicate chronic laminitis. The sole may become convex if the coffin bone begins to push through the bottom of the hoof. Correct hoof balance allows for even distribution of forces through the leg and hoof. Poor hoof balance, due to conformational flaws or poor trimming, can cause lameness from musculoskeletal injury, and poor hoof balance has been associated with increased risk of catastrophic injury in racehorses. Side-to-side (mediolateral) imbalance can cause sheared heals and hoof cracks.
Lameness (equine) | Evaluation of the hoof
After the mare was euthanized, it was discovered that she had been treated with corticosteroids prior to and during the time of the auction . She also wore therapeutic shoes prior to the auction, and was only walked on soft ground. Apparently, the mare's caretakers knew that she did not simply have a mild irritation to the sesamoid, as stated at the auction, but a tendon infection that was causing lameness. Use of the steroids not only masked the lameness, but likely caused the laminitis that the mare suffered from, a possible negative side effect of using steroids. Most agree that, considering her condition, riding her in the auction and shipping her to France (a journey more than 10 hours long) could be considered inhumane.
Poetin | Resulting Lawsuit
The sooner the diagnosis is made, the faster the treatment and the recovery process can begin. Rapid diagnosis of laminitis is often difficult, since the general problem often starts somewhere else in the horse's body. With modern therapies, most laminitics will be able to bear a rider or completely recover, if treated quickly, and if the laminitis was not severe or complicated (e.g. by equine metabolic syndrome or Cushing's disease). Even in these cases, a clinical cure can often be achieved. Endotoxic laminitis (e.g. after foaling) tends to be more difficult to treat. Successful treatment requires a competent farrier and veterinarian, and success is not guaranteed.
Laminitis | Prognosis
Even some lots of hay may be high enough in sugar to cause laminitis. A healthy diet for horses currently with or prone to laminitis is based on free access to hay that has been tested for carbohydrate content and found to be less than 10% WSC + starch, some mineral supplementation, and no grain. Feeds and forage with high levels of sugar (carbohydrates) correlate with higher risk of clinical or subclinical laminitis and with other hoof ailments. Natural hoof supplements can be used as a boost to the immune systems of horses when concerned with laminitis or other hoof ailments.
Natural hoof care | Hoof health
Disease onset is often closely associated with surgery or transport. Excess protein and lack of cellulose content in the diet (a diet heavy on grain and lacking adequate hay or similar roughage) is thought to be the trigger for the multiplication of clostridial organisms. A similar condition may be seen after administration of tetracycline or lincomycin to horses. These factors may be one reason the condition often develops in race horses, having been responsible for the deaths of the Thoroughbred filly Landaluce, the Quarter Horse stallion Lightning Bar, and is one theory for the sudden death of Kentucky Derby winner Swale.
Colitis-X | Causes
Artsplace was euthanized at the age of 18 in 2006 due to complications of laminitis, which he had been suffering with for some time.
Artsplace | Stud record
In early 2001, Oh So Sharp began to suffer from laminitis. Her condition deteriorated in the autumn and she was euthanised at the end of October at the age of nineteen.
Oh So Sharp | Stud record
Several radiographic measurements, made on the lateral view, allow for objective evaluation of the episode. Venograms can help determine the prognosis for the animal, particularly in horses where the degree of pain does not match the radiographic changes. In venography, a contrast agent, visible on radiographs, is injected into the palmar digital vein to delineate the vasculature of the foot. The venogram can assess the severity and location of tissue compromise and monitor effectiveness of the current therapy. Compression of veins within the hoof will be seen as sections that do not contain contrast material. Poor or improper blood flow to different regions of the hoof help determine the severity of the laminitic episode.
Laminitis | Radiographs
A horse can live with laminitis for many years, and although a single episode of laminitis predisposes to further episodes, with good management and prompt treatment it is by no means the catastrophe sometimes supposed: most horses suffering an acute episode without pedal bone displacement make a complete functional recovery. Some countermeasures can be adopted for pasture based animals. Discovery of laminitis, either active or relatively stabilized, on an equine prepurchase exam typically downgrades the horse's value, as the possibility of recurrence is a significant risk factor for the future performance of the horse. Several radiographic abnormalities can be judged to correlate with a worsened prognosis:
Laminitis | Prognosis
Most horses are 5–15 years of age when they develop laminitis that can be attributed to EMS.
Equine metabolic syndrome | Breed and age predisposition
"Paynter's popularity stems from his ability to battle and exceed expectations, making him the perfect choice as the recipient of this year's Vox Populi Award", said Chenery. "After seeing firsthand the devastating effects of this disease, I am even more convinced that the industry must continue to diligently fight laminitis. The progress we have made to date clearly benefited Paynter—a beautiful colt with a tremendous spirit."
Secretariat (horse) | Honors and recognition
Informally, particularly in the United States, "founder" has come to mean any chronic changes in the structure of the foot that can be linked to laminitis. In some texts, the term is even used synonymously with laminitis, though such usage is technically incorrect. Put simply, not all horses that experience laminitis will founder, but all horses that founder will first experience laminitis.
Laminitis | Informal use of the word "founder"
Early diagnosis is essential to effective treatment. However, early outward signs may be fairly nonspecific. Careful physical examination typically is diagnostic, but radiographs are also very useful. Laminitic horses are generally sore to pressure from hoof testers applied over the toe area. However, there is risk of a false negative if the horse naturally has a thick sole, or if the hoof capsule is about to slough. The severity of lameness is qualified using the Obel grading system:
Laminitis | Diagnosis
Penetration of the sole is not inherently fatal; many horses have been returned to service by aggressive treatment by a veterinarian and farrier, but the treatment is time-consuming, difficult and expensive. Rotation is the most common form of displacement, and, in this case, the tip of the coffin bone rotates downward. The degree of rotation may be influenced by the severity of the initial attack and the time of initiation and aggressiveness of treatment. A combination of forces (e.g. the tension of the deep digital flexor tendon and the weight of the horse) result in the deep digital flexor tendon literally pulling the dorsal face of the coffin bone away from the inside of the hoof wall, which allows the coffin bone to rotate.
Laminitis | Rotation, sinking, and founder
The cause of proximal enteritis is not definitively known. Both "Salmonella" and "Clostridial" species have been isolated from gastric reflux contents of affected horses. "Salmonella" has not been consistently found in all horses with DPJ, although one study cultured toxigenic "Clostridial" species in 100% of affected horses. Other potential causes include "Fusarium" infection and recent increase in dietary concentrate levels, which can alter the microbial population within the intestinal lumen. Inflammation of the intestine leads to the secretion of a large amounts of electrolytes, primarily sodium and chloride, into its lumen, resulting in the osmotic movement of water. The production of fluid is thought to be due to active hypersecretion, passive secretion of proteins secondary to damage to epithelium of the mucosa and capillaries, and a functional ileus which prevents removal of this fluid.
Equine proximal enteritis | Pathophysiology
AAEP members ranked laminitis as the most important disease needing further research in 2009. After the death of Barbaro in 2006, the North American Thoroughbred industry realized that individual studies weren't adequate tools for evaluating ongoing efforts in injury prevention. The idea for an equine injury database came from the first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit in 2006. The database has three objectives: 1) to identify the frequency, type, and outcome of horse racing injuries using a standardized format that will generate valid composite statistics; 2) identify markers for horses at increased risk of injury; and 3) to serve as a data source for research directed at improving safety and preventing injuries.
Racehorse injuries | International Thoroughbred fatality rates
EMS is also implicated in the development of laminitis. Prolonged IV insulin administration can induce laminitis, possibly due to its effects on blood flow to the foot, changes of glucose metabolism and secondary matrix metalloproteinase activation, or altered cell function within the foot. However, recent research suggests that the situation is more complex, in that "compensated insulin resistance is essentially physiological and health sustaining", and only when this compensatory mechanism fails does laminitis ensue. - this may support the argument that EMS is an evolved survival trait.
Equine metabolic syndrome | Laminitis
His normal temperament returned as he began to buck and kick during turnout. He also developed a taste for red peppermint candies, strongly preferring them over green spearmint ones. On December 26, Paynter was selected as the winner of the 2012 Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat, for whom the award was named, said "Paynter's popularity stems from his ability to battle and exceed expectations, making him the perfect choice as the recipient of this year's Vox Populi Award ... After seeing firsthand the devastating effects of this disease, I am even more convinced that the industry must continue to diligently fight laminitis.
Paynter (horse) | Rehabilitation and awards
Sardula suffered from what appeared to be a leg injury that kept her out of racing but plans were to retire her to breeding. In October of 1994, veterinarians diagnosed her problem as Osteomyelitis, a degenerative bacterial infection which had attacked her right foreleg. Treatment did nothing to help the condition and on February 1, 1995 Sardula was humanely euthanized at the Alamo Pintado Equine Research Center near Los Olivos, California.
Sardula | Life-ending illness
Early on 5 April 1932, the horse's strapper for the North American visit, Tommy Woodcock, found him in severe pain and with a high temperature. Within a few hours, Phar Lap haemorrhaged to death. An autopsy revealed that the horse's stomach and intestines were inflamed, leading many to believe the horse had been deliberately poisoned. There have been alternative theories, including accidental poisoning from lead insecticide and a stomach condition. It was not until the 1980s that the infection could be formally identified. In 2000, equine specialists studying the two necropsies concluded that Phar Lap probably died of duodenitis-proximal jejunitis, an acute bacterial gastroenteritis.
Phar Lap | Death
Nitroglycerine has also been applied topically in an attempt to increase blood flow, but this treatment does not appear to be an effective way to increase blood flow in the equine digit.
Laminitis | Drug therapies
Horses may return to work after the surgery. This treatment is often recommended for severe cases of laminitis, and requires proper trimming and shoeing to be successful. As an alternative to the deep digital flexor tenotomy, "Clostridium botulinum" type A toxin has been infused into the body of the deep digital flexor muscle. This theoretically allows for the same derotation as a tenotomy, but without the potential for scarring or contracture associated with that procedure. A recent study used this technique in seven laminitic horses. Significant improvement was seen in six of the horses, with moderate improvement in the seventh.
Laminitis | Aggressive therapies
We couldn't believe it. The heart was perfect. There were no problems with it. It was just this huge engine." Later, Swerczek also performed a necropsy on Sham, who died in 1993. Swerczek did weigh Sham's heart, and it was . Based on Sham's measurement, and having necropsied both horses, he estimated Secretariat's heart probably weighed , or about 2.5 times that of the average horse (). An extremely large heart is a trait that occasionally occurs in Thoroughbreds, hypothesized to be linked to a genetic condition, called the "x-factor", passed down in specific inheritance patterns. The x-factor can be traced to the historic racehorse Eclipse, who was necropsied after his death in 1789.
Secretariat (horse) | Death
In July he developed laminitis in his left rear foot. He was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent five further operations, and his prognosis varied during an exceptionally long stay in the Equine Intensive Care Unit at the New Bolton Center. While his right hind leg eventually healed, a final risky procedure on it proved futile because the colt soon developed further laminitis in both front hooves. His veterinarians and owners concluded that he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007. He was a third-generation descendant of Mr. Prospector, and as such Barbaro was related to many notable racehorses including Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide and Fusaichi Pegasus.
Barbaro (horse) | Introduction
At the end of his racing career Daliapour was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion at the Haras des Chartreux in France. He sired several winners on the flat but nothing of top class and had more success as a sire of jumpers. He was exported to Australia in 2011 where he has based at the Rosemont Stud in Victoria. He was euthanised in August 2015 after suffering from laminitis.
Daliapour | Stud record
The lamina is a critical structure for hoof health, therefore any injury to the hoof or its support system can in turn affect the coffin bone. Despite the protection provided by the hoof, the coffin bone can be injured and fractured. For example, inflammatory conditions such as laminitis may lead to rotation of the coffin bone and associated permanent damage due to the coffin bone pulling away from the hoof wall as the laminar layer tears apart. Pedal osteitis is another common inflammatory condition. Fractures can also occur to coffin bones and, depending on the fracture, can cause severe lameness.
Coffin bone | Introduction
This condition may affect cattle, horses, sheep, and many other livestock animals.
Post-legged | Introduction
Pentafusion, or the administration of ketamine, lidocaine, morphine, detomidine, and acepromazine at a constant rate of infusion, may be of particular benefit to horses suffering from laminitis. Epidurals may also be used in hind-limb laminitis. Vasodilators are often used with the goal of improving laminar blood flow. However, during the developmental phases of laminitis, vasodilation is contraindicated, either through hot water or vasodilatory drugs. Systemic acepromazine as a vasodilator with the fringe benefit of mild sedation which reduces the horse/pony's movements and thus reduces concussion on the hooves, may be beneficial after lamellar damage has occurred, although no effects on laminar blood flow with this medication have been shown.
Laminitis | Drug therapies
Besides pain management and control of any predisposing factors, mechanical stabilization is a primary treatment goal once the initial inflammatory and metabolic issues have resolved. No approach has been shown to be effective in all situations, and debate is ongoing the merits and faults of the numerous techniques. Once the distal phalanx rotates, it is essential to derotate and re-establish its proper spatial orientation within the hoof capsule, to ensure the best long-term prospects for the horse. With correct trimming and, as necessary, the application of orthotics, one can effect this reorientation. However, this is not always completely effective. Successful treatment for any type of founder must necessarily involve stabilization of the bony column by some means.
Laminitis | Trimming and shoeing
Treatments included use of a cold water spa (cryotherapy) and injection of several doses of stem cells into the bone marrow. Bal a Bali developed a large abscess on his foot that Dryden opened and then treated with sterile maggots to prevent sepsis. Bal a Bali also had issues with his kidneys and dorsal colitis that required further care. "He had a gamut of issues and was a pretty sick boy for a while," said Dryden. "He was definitely a lucky guy to get through it." By September, Bal a Bali had recovered enough to be sent from Miami to Siena Farm in Kentucky.
Bal a Bali | Laminitis
Initial management usually includes stall rest to minimize movement, and deeply bedding the stall with shavings, straw, or sand. Exercise is slowly increased once the horse has improved, ideally in an area with good (soft) footing, beginning with hand-walking, then turn-out, and finally riding under saddle. This process may take months to complete.
Laminitis | Management
Early in January 2007, the laminitic left hoof became the source of further complications. On January 10, another section of the hoof was surgically removed. Updates over the next few days revealed that the cast had been reapplied to Barbaro's right hind leg for support, and that aggressive pain management and the use of the support sling had been resumed. Nevertheless, Barbaro's condition was better than it had been the previous July. In another setback, Barbaro developed a deep abscess in his right hind foot, a problem generally caused by lack of grip exercise. Additional surgery was performed on January 27 to insert two steel pins into the healed bones of Barbaro's right foot as part of an external skeletal fixation device.
Barbaro (horse) | Further complications and death
The morning of the race his handlers discovered the horse's feet were too sore to remove his training bar shoes and would have to compete without racing plates. In addition to sore feet and improper shoes, he drew the difficult outside post position eleven. Despite these obstacles, Leroidesanimaux still ran a strong race and finished second to Artie Schiller.
Leroidesanimaux | 2005: Five-Year-Old season
In the first week of July, complications arose, and Barbaro had problems with both hind legs. He developed an abscess in his uninjured left foot, which was treated topically, but he carried a fever through the weekend and failed to put weight on his injured right foot for any significant time. By July 13, Barbaro had developed a severe case of laminitis in the left hind hoof—a potentially life-threatening affliction that is common in horses who shift weight to one hoof for extended periods to keep pressure off an injured hoof. A procedure called a hoof wall resection removed 80% of Barbaro's left rear hoof.
Barbaro (horse) | Complications
Historically, the most extreme instances were of horses shipped overseas on sailing ships. However, the continual shifting of weight required to balance in a moving vehicle may enhance blood circulation, so some horsemen recommend trailering as an initial step in rehabilitation of a horse after long confinement.
Laminitis | Poor blood circulation
1952-2005) who had suffered from chronic osteomyelitis for eight years before appealing for the intercession of Lamoignon to cure him of his ailment. The current postulator for this cause is Andrea Ambrosi.
Marie-Louise-Élisabeth de Lamoignon de Molé de Champlâtreux | Beatification
In cases of severe unilateral lameness, aggressive pain management using a combination of drugs in various classes such as opioids, alpha-2 agonists, ketamine, topical NSAIDs, and local anesthetics should be considered. Epidurals may also be helpful in hind limb lameness. Horses at risk for contralateral laminitis may be prophylactically treated with aggressive icing and supportive shoeing.
Treatment of equine lameness | Laminitis prevention
Commonly known as road founder, mechanical separation occurs when horses with long toes are worked extensively on hard ground. The long toes and hard ground together contribute to delayed breakover, hence mechanical separation of the laminae at the toe. Historically, this was seen in carriage horses bred for heavy bodies and long, slim legs with relatively small hooves; their hooves were trimmed for long toes (to make them lift their feet higher, enhancing their stylish "action"), and they were worked at speed on hard roads. Road founder is also seen in overweight animals, particularly when hooves are allowed to grow long; classic examples are ponies on pasture board in spring, and pregnant mares.
Laminitis | Mechanical separation
An infected horse can also suffer from peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) as well as secondary infections and abscesses at the site of attachment. Impaction of the intestine is also a possible symptom. In rare cases, the intestinal tract itself can twist and even rupture.
Anoplocephala perfoliata | Pathology
"I was learning then that anything could happen in horse racing," said Chenery. "We knew he had a low-grade infection. But we decided he was strong enough to win anyway, and we were wrong." Secretariat lost his appetite and acted sluggishly for several days. Charles Hatton wrote: "He seemed distressingly ill walking off, and he missed the Travers. Returned to Belmont to point for the $250,000 Marlboro, the sport's pin-up horse looked bloody awful, rather like one of those sick paintings which betoken an inner theatre of the macabre. It required supernatural recuperative powers to recover as he did. He was subjected to four severe preps in two weeks.
Secretariat (horse) | Whitney Stakes
In cases of EMS, most episodes occur in the spring when the grass is lush.
Laminitis | Mechanism
Many signs are associated with PPID, but only a subset of these are displayed in any single horse. Some horses may present with chronic laminitis without other overt signs of the disease.
Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction | Clinical signs
The mucosa of the intestines is damaged with DPJ, often resulting in absorption of endotoxin and risking laminitis, so therapy to combat and treat endotoxemia is often employed. This includes treatment with drugs that counteract endotoxin such as Polymyxin B and Bio-Sponge, fluid support, and laminitis prevention such as icing of the feet. Prokinetic drugs such as lidocaine, erythromycin, metoclopramide, and bethanechol are often used to treat the ileus associated with the disease. Horses are withheld food until reflux returns to less than 1–2 L of production every 4 hours, and gut sounds return, often requiring 3–7 days of therapy.
Equine proximal enteritis | Treatment
Horses are susceptible to laminitis from exposure to black walnut wood in bedding.
Juglans nigra | Interaction with horses
Paynter (foaled March 4, 2009) is an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse notable for a promising three-year-old racing season that included a second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes and a victory in the Haskell Invitational, cut short by a near-fatal case of colitis requiring abdominal surgery, complicated by laminitis. Most experts believed that even if he survived, his racing days were over. His struggle for life, regularly updated via social media by his owners, gained him a large fan base and earned him the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Moment of the Year and Secretariat Vox Populi Award for 2012. His surgery was successful, and innovative treatment for laminitis prevented harm to his feet, so he was sent to the Fair Hill Training Center for recovery and rehabilitation.
Paynter (horse) | Introduction
Treatment and prognosis depend on the phase of the disease, with horses treated in earlier stages often having a better prognosis. The developmental phase is defined as the time between the initial exposure to the causative agent or incident, until the onset of clinical signs. It generally lasts 24–60 hours, and is the best time to treat a laminitis episode. Clinical laminitis may be prevented if cryotherapy (icing) is initiated during the developmental phase. The acute phase is the first 72 hours following the initiation of clinical signs. Treatment response during this time determines if the horse will go into the subacute phase or chronic phase.
Laminitis | Phases of laminitis
However, evidence of navicular degeneration has been established in the fossil record of early horses. Mary Thompson, a vertebrate paleontologist at Idaho Museum of Natural History, has found evidence in many species of early horses and concludes, "The results of this study strongly suggest that man’s intervention (whether by increased usage or improper breeding practices) may not be the sole cause of the syndrome", although she cautions that her results are preliminary.
Navicular syndrome | Shoeing
This would allow the right foot to bear more weight, but the procedure was risky, with the major danger being that the bones might break again. Later that same weekend, Barbaro's front hooves, which had remained healthy throughout the ordeal, displayed clear signs of laminitis due to him not being able to bear weight on his hind legs. Thus, Barbaro could not then comfortably put his weight on any of his legs. Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007, at around 10:30a.m. EST by decision of his owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who indicated that they felt that his pain was no longer manageable.
Barbaro (horse) | Further complications and death
His final preparatory race for the Kentucky Derby was the Wood Memorial, where he finished a surprising third to Angle Light and Santa Anita Derby winner Sham. Laurin was crushed, even though he had trained the winner, Angle Light, who set a slow pace and "stole" the race. Secretariat's loss was later attributed to a large abscess in his mouth, which made him sensitive to the bit. Before and after the race, there was some ill feeling between Laurin and the trainer of Sham, Pancho Martin, fanned by comments in the press. The dispute concerned the use of coupled entries as Martin had entered two horses in addition to Sham, all with the same owner.
Secretariat (horse) | 1973: Three-year-old season
On September 3, 2005, Poetin was shipped to Petit Mars, France, to her new home at Haras de Hus. As soon as she arrived, however, it was clear that she was showing signs of severe laminitis in both front feet, as she was having trouble standing up due to the pain. Aggressive treatment was begun by French and German veterinarians, including the use of a sling to hold the mare up and help relieve pressure on her feet. But the laminitis soon worsened, and the mare began to shed her hooves. Realizing there was little chance of recovery, it was decided to put the mare down.
Poetin | Death
The same disease has also led to the death of fellow Triple Crown winner Secretariat and Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. He was buried whole—the ultimate honor for a race horse—at Jonabell Farm, wearing the flamingo pink colors of his original owners, Harbor View Farm.
Affirmed | Stud record
A veterinary examination determined that the colt's lameness was caused by a "slipping stifle". Despite his physical problems, Gilles de Retz contested the Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse in June. He started a 28/1 outsider and made no impact, finishing unplaced behind the French-trained Lavandin. Later in the month he returned to the one mile distance for the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but again ran poorly, finishing last of the six runners on his last appearance of the season.
Gilles de Retz (horse) | 1956: three-year-old season
All horses that were initially negative remained so, suggesting that the virus is poorly transmitted horizontally. However, not all horses that tested positive for this virus showed clinical signs, so additional causative factors such as immune mediated hypersensitivity or co-infections with other agents may be required to produce disease.
Theiler's disease | Cause
The inflammatory molecule histamine has also been hypothesized as a causative agent of laminitis. However, contradictory evidence indicates the role of histamine in laminitis has not been conclusively established.
Laminitis | Vasoactive amines
Sefton made little impact as a stallion and suffered increasingly from rheumatism. By 1891 he was in a "bad way" with "fever in the feet" (most likely laminitis) and was euthanized on 12 August 1891.
Sefton (racehorse) | Stud career
Three days after that, he was sent to the track again and suffered the only loss of his career when he finished second by a nose in the William Hendrie Memorial Handicap. In his final race in June 1934, Horometer won the Canadian Breeders' Handicap at the now-defunct Long Branch Racetrack in Toronto but came out of the race with an injury and, after apparently recovering, went lame following a training workout. According to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, in 1935 jockey Frankie Mann said, "In those days they weren't able to repair a horse's foot like they can today, so he'd had it.
Horometer | Introduction
Laminopathies ("lamino-" + "-opathy") are a group of rare genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins of the nuclear lamina. They are included in the more generic term "nuclear envelopathies" that was coined in 2000 for diseases associated with defects of the nuclear envelope. Since the first reports of laminopathies in the late 1990s, increased research efforts have started to uncover the vital role of nuclear envelope proteins in cell and tissue integrity in animals.
Laminopathy | Introduction
Cigar lived out his retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions in Lexington. Around April 2014, Cigar began to suffer increasingly from osteoarthritis in his spine, leading to instability in his legs. He underwent surgery to correct the problem but complications ensued and he died on October 7.
Cigar (horse) | Retirement
He made a very promising start to his stud career but died after contracting laminitis in 2016. Unfortunately's dam Unfortunate showed modest racing ability, winning two minor races from 22 starts. She was a female-line descendant of the British broodmare Probity (foaled 1943) making her a distant relative of the Australian champion Manikato.
Unfortunately (horse) | Background
DSLD was once considered a condition of the legs only, as one of the most visible signs is when the fetlocks, particularly on the hind legs, collapse into a "coon-footed" position. However, microscopic examination in necropsy has shown DSLD horses can not only be affected in the tendons and ligaments of all legs and the patella, but can have affected tissues in the nuchal ligament, eyes, aorta, skin and fascia, lungs and other organs, as well as ligaments and tendons throughout the body. Because of its systemic nature, and because connective tissue is present everywhere in a biological entity, the entire body becomes affected in multiple ways as the disease progresses.
Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis | Introduction
Exam Score (August 8, 2004 to August 21, 2004). He was disqualified for a bilateral sore from August 31, 2003, to April 30, 2004. He was disqualified for a unilateral sore from October 6, 2002 to October 19, 2002. McConnell was disqualified for violation of terms of a five-year USDA disqualification and suspended from November 19, 2009, to May 18, 2010. In April and May 2011, an undercover investigator shot footage at McConnell's stable. The footage revealed two workers, Jeff Dockery and John Mays, applying caustic substances that cause soring to horses' legs and hooves and beating the animals with a wooden beam and an electric cattle prod to make them stand still during leg palpation.
Soring | Legal cases
Following a five furlong workout, the colt took a misstep and broke his right hind leg in two places, suffering a shattered pastern and a fractured cannon bone that ended his racing career and put his life in jeopardy. Veterinary Surgeons performed a bone graft, using screws and metal plates to secure the breaks then created the first ever fiberglass cast to wrap around the horse's leg. While Hoist The Flag eventually recovered, in 2006, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro would suffer a very similar injury but following surgery developed laminitis and had to be euthanized .
Hoist The Flag | Racing career
Later on unnamed sources told the press that the illness was likely caused by untreated tonsillitis, the press counselor of the president, while still refusing to disclose exact diagnosis, confirmed that the president had been having issues with his throat and his voice had been very hoarse. Vējonis left hospital on February 26 to undergo physical therapy at National Rehabilitation Center "Vaivari". He was reported to be doing some work during his illness, but fully resumed his official duties on 30 March after spending more than two months recovering.
Raimonds Vējonis | Health problems
To date, the precise causative factor has not been verified, and the disease has been attributed by various sources to viruses, parasites, bacteria, use of antibiotics and sulfonamides, and heavy metal poisoning. Other possible causes include peracute salmonellosis, clostridial enterocolitis, and endotoxemia. "Clostridium difficile" toxins isolated in the horse have a genotype like the current human "epidemic strain", which is associated with human "C. difficile"-associated disease of greater than historical severity. "C. difficile" can cause pseudomembranous colitis in humans, and in hospitalized patients who develop it, fulminant "C. difficile" colitis is a significant and increasing cause of death. Horses under stress appear to be more susceptible to developing colitis X.
Colitis-X | Causes
Prince Leopold had haemophilia diagnosed in childhood, and in early years had various physicians in permanent attendance, including Arnold Royle and John Wickham Legg. In February 1884, Leopold went to Cannes on doctor's orders: joint pain is a common symptom of haemophilia and the winter climate in the United Kingdom was always difficult for him. His wife, pregnant at the time, stayed at home but urged him to go. On 27 March, at his Cannes residence, the 'Villa Nevada', he slipped and fell, injuring his knee and hitting his head. He died in the early hours of the next morning, apparently from a cerebral haemorrhage.
Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany | Illness and death
Dysfunctional structure of one particular laminin, laminin-211, is the cause of one form of congenital muscular dystrophy. Laminin-211 is composed of an α2, a β1 and a γ1 chains. This laminin's distribution includes the brain and muscle fibers. In muscle, it binds to alpha dystroglycan and integrin alpha7—beta1 via the G domain, and via the other end it binds to the extracellular matrix. Abnormal laminin-332, which is essential for epithelial cell adhesion to the basement membrane, leads to a condition called junctional epidermolysis bullosa, characterized by generalized blisters, exuberant granulation tissue of skin and mucosa, and pitted teeth. Malfunctional laminin-521 in the kidney filter causes leakage of protein into the urine and nephrotic syndrome.
Laminin | Pathology