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.
The most common sign the vet will normally notice is a history of the front leg lameness which can be gradual. At times, the lameness can be observed on both front feet. The other sign is a history stumbling and developing a choppy gait that appears to be uncomfortable. The condition is also more common with the thoroghbreds and the quarterhorses than other breeds as they are larger in size and rests on small feet. The onset of signs is also common at the age of 7 to 14 although it can occur at any age.
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.
The other common alternative is the use of corrective shoeing particularly when the condition is chronic. This involves trimming each of the affected shoes to conform to particular needs. The shoe types used include the rolled toe shoe, the wide web shoe, the Tennessee navicular shoe, the slippered hell shoe, and the egg bar shoe among others.
However, the steroids are used particularly when it is suspected that the origin of the pain is from the coffin joint or the navicular bursa. This is far from the cure as it only reduces inflammation but does not cure the underlying pathology problems. The other treatment includes administration of isoxcuprine hydrochloride, use of an anticoagulant, corrective shoeing techniques and neurectomy for chronic cases.
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.
The most common sign the vet will normally notice is a history of the front leg lameness which can be gradual. At times, the lameness can be observed on both front feet. The other sign is a history stumbling and developing a choppy gait that appears to be uncomfortable. The condition is also more common with the thoroghbreds and the quarterhorses than other breeds as they are larger in size and rests on small feet. The onset of signs is also common at the age of 7 to 14 although it can occur at any age.
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.
The other common alternative is the use of corrective shoeing particularly when the condition is chronic. This involves trimming each of the affected shoes to conform to particular needs. The shoe types used include the rolled toe shoe, the wide web shoe, the Tennessee navicular shoe, the slippered hell shoe, and the egg bar shoe among others.
However, the steroids are used particularly when it is suspected that the origin of the pain is from the coffin joint or the navicular bursa. This is far from the cure as it only reduces inflammation but does not cure the underlying pathology problems. The other treatment includes administration of isoxcuprine hydrochloride, use of an anticoagulant, corrective shoeing techniques and neurectomy for chronic cases.
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