Laminitis is predisposed by the calving event. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only with ruminal acidosis
• D. Only with Relaxin

Answer: (A)

Laminitis around calving reflects a period of metabolic and inflammatory stress that increases risk to the hoof. After calving, cows often face negative energy balance as milk production rises, causing fat mobilization and higher circulating NEFA and ketones, along with an inflammatory response. This systemic inflammation and altered blood flow can affect the laminar tissue in the hoof, predisposing to laminitis. It’s not solely due to ruminal acidosis, and relaxin isn’t a driver of laminitis. So, the calving event indeed predisposes to laminitis.