LAMINITIS FEVER IN THE FEET 



377 



Fig. 395. Laminitis 



1, Coronary cushion. 2, Healthy horn. 3, Cicatricial horn. 

 4, Os pedis displaced by pressure. 5, Heel displaced by 

 pressure. 



affected, but sometimes the hind ones are also implicated at the same 



time. In this disease the posture and gait are very diagnostic. The 



animal stands in a crouching position, with the fore-feet extended far 



in advance of him, and the hind -legs are brought forward under the 



body to sustain the weight of 



which the fore ones have been 



relieved. When made to move, 



the action is short, jerky, and 



painful, and the weight of the 



body is thrown on the heels. 



The feet are hot to the touch 



at first, and may later become 



quite cool. If struck with a 



hammer, however lightly, pain 



is induced. In severe attacks 



the suffering is very intense, 



and constitutional disturbance is 



evinced by an anxious expression 



of the face, hurried breathing, a 



quick hard pulse, heightened 



temperature, restlessness, and patchy sweats. The mucous membranes 



of the nose and eyes are of a deep-red hue, the mouth is hot and clammy, 



and the bowels are constipated. In cases where the hind-feet are also 



affected it is difficult to induce the animal to move, and he stands fixed 



to one spot, or falls to the ground, where he remains unable to rise. 



Unless relief is speedily afforded, the feet undergo marked changes 

 of a permanent character. The soles 

 "drop", owing to the coffin-bones 

 having become separated from the hoof 

 and displaced, and the front of the foot 

 sinks in, so that while the one becomes 

 convex or unduly prominent, the other 

 becomes concave or depressed (fig. 395). 

 Later, rings appear on the hoof owing 

 to irregularity in the secretion of horn, 



and the texture of the latter becomes loose and shelly (fig. 396). The 

 toes increase in thickness and become rounded, and have a tendency to 

 turn upward. 



Treatment. In all cases of this affection the bowels should be 

 unloaded as speedily as possible by a full dose of physic, and if the 

 patient is seen at the outset, blood should be taken from the jugular 



Fig. 396. Laminitis 



