A foundered laminitic foot

[Anna]

WARNING - DO NOT SCROLL DOWN IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE A DISSECTED FORELIMB (and mods please remove if you think its inappropriate but i think many might find this fascninating).

It actually isn't that gruesome as its clean and been preserved in something so just looks modelish.

I've been away all this week on a study week as part of my distance leanring course in Equine Studies and Business Management at a place callled TOCES (Open college of Equine studies) who runs accredited courses to the Royal Ag.College at Boxstead which is just outside of Newmarket. As part of the trip we went to Rossdales Vetinary centre for a look round and also an afternoon of dissection.

The below picture is of a forelimb that had laminitus so badly the pedal bone has rotated and foundered through the sole.























































Hope no-one mind me posting this and if you didn't want to see it you didn't scroll down! I tried to put it far down the page but I found it interesting so i thought others might.

[cadeby]

Very informative, thanks Anna.

Don't suppose you have a disection showing a normal pedal bone position for comparison?

[SuzieP]

It IS interesting, Anna. And you're right, it does look very clinical....so not distressing.

Glad you enjoyed the TOCES residential.

LOL - came to modify to ask if you had a pic of a healthy dissection for comparison and see Helen has beaten me to it. It'd be interesting to see the two side by side.

[Anna]

i do but it is more gruesome as it was a fresh limb (Fresh as in had been defrosted). I'll put it as a link so people can look at it if they want too. Again, its not horrendous but more "real" than the above picture.

[Anna]

Please beaware there is a bit of blood involved but its not horrendous (imo!) They are interesting though

Whole forelimb

i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/anna_tucker/dissectedforelimb.jpg

Close-up showing the pedal bone position in a "normal" foot

i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/anna_tucker/19112008178.jpg

[SuzieP]

Thanks Anna - that's so interesting. The link pictures are a bit - well, pink - aren't they? But not really gory....

[zeldalithgow]

Thanks Anna, very interesting and not really distressing if you are ready for it

[harveydales]

Thanks Anna, very interesting and not at all gruesome. Sounds like a fascinating week for you.

Last time my trimmer was here she showed me a couple of specimens, one a foundered foot and one a normal foot. There is still so much to learn about this dreadful condition. Very good timing you posting this just now as today I was debating letting Quest into a larger area of paddock but perhaps I won't risk it now! I am convinced there is something in our bottom paddock that triggers laminitis in him - not lush grass but an area that collects all the run-off from the surrounding fields and has an unusually high PH value.

[cadeby]

Excellent comparison - clearly indicates just how close the pedal bone is to the sole in a normal hoof, so there's not much rotation necessary for founder - scary

[harleydales]

Thanks Anna - very interesting and not gory at all. I think it is very important that we understand what is happening mechanically when things go wrong.

Edited to say I have stckied this thread so it stays up with the other laminitis stuff.
Perhapes we should have a laminitis specific forum??

[Rowndan]

i saw these pics on facebook and thougth they are facinating

anna im glad you shared them on here thankyou x

[bevbob]

Yes me too, it is very interesting to see an actual foot and not just illustrations. Thanks Anna.

[SuzieP]

A laminitis-specific forum seems like a good idea to me - especially as there are several members who have particular concerns about this....and the increase in cases.

Let me know if you'd like the admin done......

[harveydales]

I would be very interested in a laminitis specific forum. It would be very helpful to be able to discuss all forms of management, feeding, supplements, shoeing/trimming etc and nice to give support to others going through problems with their ponies/horses.

It is a condition that effects all horses and ponies and in the low grade form there is probably an awful lot more of it about than most people realise. Right now I'd love to discuss whether to allow Quest more grazing or keep him as he is and also discuss his foot trimming.

Maybe we could have a sub-forum in the vet section if there is enough interest? It could also cover the whole aspect of metabolic syndrome which I for one would find very helpful.

[PonyGirl]

Thank you. That honestly is helpful