Type of cows acute laminitis is more common in

• A. Feedlot, first lactation dairy
• B. Pasture-raised beef cattle
• C. Older cows
• D. Dairy cows in late lactation

Answer: (A)

Acute laminitis in cattle is typically triggered by ruminal acidosis from high-energy, high-starch diets that are common when animals are fed concentrates to support high production. When cows are shifted to or maintained on such diets, especially in large feedlots or during the peak of lactation in dairy cows, the rumen environment changes rapidly and inflammatory mediators can affect the hoof laminae, leading to pain and dysfunction.

This is why animals in feedlots and dairy cows in early lactation are most at risk: they’re the ones most often exposed to abrupt, high-grain diets paired with high production demands. In contrast, pasture-raised beef cattle eat mostly forage with lower risk of ruminal acidosis, and older cows or dairy cows in late lactation are less likely to experience the acute dietary-driven cascade that precipitates laminitis.