Certain diseases have been known to affect horses while remaining unknown in ponies and donkeys. Navicular syndrome is an example of such disease. The disease causes lameness in many horses, particularly those involved in athletics. It is a degenerative condition that causes loss of medullary architecture, fibrillation, traumatic and enthesiophyte formation, and bone sclerosis. Regardless of this disease being discovered years ago, it continues to be source of trouble even today.
The syndrome results from complex pathogenesis rather than a particular disease entity. However, researchers link biochemical and vascular components to it. Additionally, there is a belief that the disease could be hereditary following the decrease in cases after stallions with the conditions were disallowed certification for breeding. The condition seems to be characteristic in mature horses because it does not appear until the animal is 8 to 10 years old.
How well the distal limb is conformed seems to play a major role in influencing the disease process and the level of lameness. Some of the most likely causes are long toes, underrun heels, and excess pressure placed on the hoof-pastern. The result of aforementioned factors is excess pressure being imposed on the navicular bone and flexor tendon. Other conditions that are likely to result are damage of fibrocartilage and navicular bursitis.
The disease occurs in stages with later stages getting worse and severe. When the disease is still in its early stages, there is intermittent lameness and owing to its bilateral nature, there may never be any visible head nod. This is especially when moving the animal on a straight line. One of the mild signs at this stage is a shortened stride. During early stages, the condition could be worsened when the horse is moved in circles.
Age and breed of an animal are some of the factors based on when making a diagnosis. Performing a lameness examination should show a characteristic to palmar digital nerve anesthesia by the animal. Some studies only revealed 11% of positive results from hoof testers, making the test to be regarded as not sufficient in all cases. Anesthesia of navicular bursa seems to be the most effective and precise diagnosis process. However, owing to the amount of pain involved and the complexity of the injection, this process is not performed during lameness examination.
In cases where the condition has gotten worse, achieving total cure is not possible because the disease is chronic and degenerative in nature. However, the problem can be managed quite well in some cases. Administration of NSAID and utilization of corrective shoes are some of the commonest treatment options used. Phenylbutazone is more commonly used over other NSAIDs. However, GI and renal injury are some of side effects of phenylbutazone, and should be used cautiously.
The efficiency of drugs is also limited and in cases where lameness is severe, rest is the most recommended idea. Besides drugs, measures of foot care are also helpful. The hooves could be trimmed and shoed to restore the normal balance and alignment of phalangeal. The efficiency of the shoes can be determined after two weeks.
Seeking medical assistance the minute the problem is discovered is advisable. Total disability could result if one delays. Animals that are not treated on time undergo a lot of pain.
The syndrome results from complex pathogenesis rather than a particular disease entity. However, researchers link biochemical and vascular components to it. Additionally, there is a belief that the disease could be hereditary following the decrease in cases after stallions with the conditions were disallowed certification for breeding. The condition seems to be characteristic in mature horses because it does not appear until the animal is 8 to 10 years old.
How well the distal limb is conformed seems to play a major role in influencing the disease process and the level of lameness. Some of the most likely causes are long toes, underrun heels, and excess pressure placed on the hoof-pastern. The result of aforementioned factors is excess pressure being imposed on the navicular bone and flexor tendon. Other conditions that are likely to result are damage of fibrocartilage and navicular bursitis.
The disease occurs in stages with later stages getting worse and severe. When the disease is still in its early stages, there is intermittent lameness and owing to its bilateral nature, there may never be any visible head nod. This is especially when moving the animal on a straight line. One of the mild signs at this stage is a shortened stride. During early stages, the condition could be worsened when the horse is moved in circles.
Age and breed of an animal are some of the factors based on when making a diagnosis. Performing a lameness examination should show a characteristic to palmar digital nerve anesthesia by the animal. Some studies only revealed 11% of positive results from hoof testers, making the test to be regarded as not sufficient in all cases. Anesthesia of navicular bursa seems to be the most effective and precise diagnosis process. However, owing to the amount of pain involved and the complexity of the injection, this process is not performed during lameness examination.
In cases where the condition has gotten worse, achieving total cure is not possible because the disease is chronic and degenerative in nature. However, the problem can be managed quite well in some cases. Administration of NSAID and utilization of corrective shoes are some of the commonest treatment options used. Phenylbutazone is more commonly used over other NSAIDs. However, GI and renal injury are some of side effects of phenylbutazone, and should be used cautiously.
The efficiency of drugs is also limited and in cases where lameness is severe, rest is the most recommended idea. Besides drugs, measures of foot care are also helpful. The hooves could be trimmed and shoed to restore the normal balance and alignment of phalangeal. The efficiency of the shoes can be determined after two weeks.
Seeking medical assistance the minute the problem is discovered is advisable. Total disability could result if one delays. Animals that are not treated on time undergo a lot of pain.
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