Laminitis

• The etiology of laminitis is multi-faceted, but is generally the result of low rumen pH that is caused by nutritional factors that lead to acidosis.

Click Here to Learn More About Acidosis

• The initial activation phase of laminitis is associated with decreased systemic pH that can be caused by decreased ruminal pH.

• Lippopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial cell wall component present in gram-negative bacteria, it is a very potent stimulator of inflammation.

• Levels of LPS in the rumen increase when there is a sudden drop in rumen pH.

• Histamine is also produced by the animal in response to a sudden drop in rumen pH.

• These factors lead to an overall inflammatory condition in the animal that can weaken the laminar structure in the hoof wall, thus leading to laminitis.

• The actions of active-dry yeast and some bacterial direct-fed microbials can help alleviate some of the causes of lamintis.