When the horse owner suspects the navicular syndrome as the cause of lameness in their horse, they often go into the mode of fear. In fact, some people even shy away from the horse, making it look like it is suffering from some contagious diseases. It is important to understand that the navicular disease in horses is not terminal and most horses that are diagnosed with this condition are able to be brought back to their previous performance with proper management of the condition.
It is most common in the forelimb but can also occur in the hind feet. Normally, the lameness is just slight or moderate and it is on the rare occasion where the lameness gets severe. It is a disease that is more common with the horses than the ponies. In addition to this, it is most noticed in the horses that have the typical thoroughbred-like foot conformation such as long toes, or low and collapsed heels. The other risk facts include work that involves lots of jumping as well as lots of road work.
For proper diagnosis of the navicular condition, the veterinarian has to rely on the clinical tests as well as the radiograph signs. There are several horses that show the radiographic signs in the x-ray images without any sign of lameness or do not test positive in the long last. On the other hands, the clinical test may not rule other possible causes like the coffin bone crack, the heel bruise, and the simple sole bruise. These can only be ruled out with the help of radiography.
Generally though, pinpointing the exact cause of the problem is not easy. This is due to the fact that there are numerous possible causes, and as such, a single treatment may not be possible. The navicular bone is actually a small bone found at the horse foot. To date, there is no concurrence when it comes to the cause of this condition. There are several theories suggesting the possible causes, one of the oldest suggesting that the navicular bone normally undergoes the charges that brings about pathology and pain in the area.
Other risk factors include the horse breed. The quarterhorse breed and the thoroghbreds are at higher risk than other horses as their legs are smaller as compared to their big bodies. The signs are more likely to be noticed from the age of 7 to 14.
In order to reduce symptoms, vets usually resort to techniques that target to increase circulation to the navicular area. This includes the administration of isoxsuprine hydrochloride as it helps in dilating the small blood vessels. The magnetic hoof and the anticoagulant warfarin are both used to increase local circulation, which in turn reduces pain.
When it comes to treatment, most veterinarians usually go for bute to manage navicular and other lameness diseases. It is considered effective as it helps to reduce the pain and inflammation in the early stages of such conditions.
In case the condition is long-standing, the vet is more likely to resort to neurectomy. It is a drastic treatment that involves cutting the nerve to the foot just above the fetlock which leaves the entire foot dead. This is not a solution for a riding horse and the horse will stumble often as it cannot tell where the feet are.
It is most common in the forelimb but can also occur in the hind feet. Normally, the lameness is just slight or moderate and it is on the rare occasion where the lameness gets severe. It is a disease that is more common with the horses than the ponies. In addition to this, it is most noticed in the horses that have the typical thoroughbred-like foot conformation such as long toes, or low and collapsed heels. The other risk facts include work that involves lots of jumping as well as lots of road work.
For proper diagnosis of the navicular condition, the veterinarian has to rely on the clinical tests as well as the radiograph signs. There are several horses that show the radiographic signs in the x-ray images without any sign of lameness or do not test positive in the long last. On the other hands, the clinical test may not rule other possible causes like the coffin bone crack, the heel bruise, and the simple sole bruise. These can only be ruled out with the help of radiography.
Generally though, pinpointing the exact cause of the problem is not easy. This is due to the fact that there are numerous possible causes, and as such, a single treatment may not be possible. The navicular bone is actually a small bone found at the horse foot. To date, there is no concurrence when it comes to the cause of this condition. There are several theories suggesting the possible causes, one of the oldest suggesting that the navicular bone normally undergoes the charges that brings about pathology and pain in the area.
Other risk factors include the horse breed. The quarterhorse breed and the thoroghbreds are at higher risk than other horses as their legs are smaller as compared to their big bodies. The signs are more likely to be noticed from the age of 7 to 14.
In order to reduce symptoms, vets usually resort to techniques that target to increase circulation to the navicular area. This includes the administration of isoxsuprine hydrochloride as it helps in dilating the small blood vessels. The magnetic hoof and the anticoagulant warfarin are both used to increase local circulation, which in turn reduces pain.
When it comes to treatment, most veterinarians usually go for bute to manage navicular and other lameness diseases. It is considered effective as it helps to reduce the pain and inflammation in the early stages of such conditions.
In case the condition is long-standing, the vet is more likely to resort to neurectomy. It is a drastic treatment that involves cutting the nerve to the foot just above the fetlock which leaves the entire foot dead. This is not a solution for a riding horse and the horse will stumble often as it cannot tell where the feet are.
About the Author:
Our official web page reveals new facts about treating navicular disease in horses. To get immediate access to our posts visit http://www.naviculardisease.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment