Originally from: mark purdey
                        
Hi,

the only encounter with Laminitis in my farming career was when we loaned out some milking cows ( in between moving farm ourselves ) to a farm that used excessive inputs of nitrogen fertiliser in relation to our own system. Most of
 the cows developed chronic laminitis ( like horses on too rich pasture ) but all recovered when returned to our new farm ( after about two months of pasturing on a more balanced nutritional plane.

I would guess that the nitrogen crystals get incorporated into the hard tissues of the hoof and soften them in some way, abit like excess iron getting into the joints and seeding the growth of arthritic nodules.

So the ewe might have (or is) been thriving on a diet that is too high in nitrogen or oxalic acid ( caused by feeding of luxurient root crops , etc ) which is causing the laminitis plus bloating. There are antidotes for this kind of chronic poisoning but have forgotten, Can look up if you feel this might be
 at all relevant to your problem.

Best,

Mark