Understanding Navicular Disease In Horses
Navicular disease affects a lot of animals and even human beings. It is caused by inflammation or degeneration of bones or the tissues surrounding the area. Navicular disease in horses can be mild only requiring the animal to take some time off from duty to heal or it can be a major cause for disabling lameness. This article discusses, causes, symptoms, and treatments for the condition.
First, it is well if it is understood that the syndrome results from many factors and non is specific. The cause can be a single factor or several factors working together. Many factors also contribute, worsen, and accelerate the occurrence of the problem. Landing with toes first and compression forces acting in navicular region are the major causes however.
Compression is felt under DDF tendons and behind small pastern bones. Cartilage degeneration occurs due to continued compression. Degenerated cartilage cannot absorb shock from movement because they become flat and less springy. Erosion of cartilage may occur in some cases. Erosion causes exposure of underneath bones after some time causing infection from pathogens or development of other more severe conditions.
Toe-first landing has also been associated with this syndrome according to recent research. Misalignment in lower joints is the major reason why horses land with toes first. Deep digital flexor tendons are highly strained with such landings. The strain can be a cause or a major contributing factor to inflammation in tendons and bone modifications. Over-trimming, long toes, and poor shoeing are also causes for toe-first landing . The syndrome is also contributed by work, conformation, body weight, and shoeing.
Signs for navicular disease are many and they may manifest in different ways. The most common of all signs in pain in the heel. Pain may result from inflammation of ligaments, reduced blood flow, cartilage erosion, or damage of DDF tendon or navicular bursa. Pain is normally indicated by change in gait and frequent stumbling even on a flat surface. Both front feet are affected, but one foot feels more pain than the other one.
Lameness may switch feet from one to the other and normally starts mild or seasonal before progressing to disabling levels. A scale of 1-5 is used to measure lameness with 1-2 being mild and 3 and beyond being extreme. Animals with the condition should not be worked on hard surfaces because such surfaces worsen the problem. Feet change shape if the signs are left unattended to. The foot that is affected most becomes narrower and more upright.
How serious the problem is determines the treatment to be used to treat it. Permanent changes that cannot be reversed by treatment are known to result if treatment is not sort early enough. That is why first signs to show should be treated immediately. Surgery, medication, and exercise are among the treatment options currently in use.
Exercise requires the animal to be put on a less intensive work schedule as progress is observed. Various medications administered include vasodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs, and anticoagulants. Vasodilators improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels. Surgery is applied in extreme conditions as the last option after all the others are exhausted.
First, it is well if it is understood that the syndrome results from many factors and non is specific. The cause can be a single factor or several factors working together. Many factors also contribute, worsen, and accelerate the occurrence of the problem. Landing with toes first and compression forces acting in navicular region are the major causes however.
Compression is felt under DDF tendons and behind small pastern bones. Cartilage degeneration occurs due to continued compression. Degenerated cartilage cannot absorb shock from movement because they become flat and less springy. Erosion of cartilage may occur in some cases. Erosion causes exposure of underneath bones after some time causing infection from pathogens or development of other more severe conditions.
Toe-first landing has also been associated with this syndrome according to recent research. Misalignment in lower joints is the major reason why horses land with toes first. Deep digital flexor tendons are highly strained with such landings. The strain can be a cause or a major contributing factor to inflammation in tendons and bone modifications. Over-trimming, long toes, and poor shoeing are also causes for toe-first landing . The syndrome is also contributed by work, conformation, body weight, and shoeing.
Signs for navicular disease are many and they may manifest in different ways. The most common of all signs in pain in the heel. Pain may result from inflammation of ligaments, reduced blood flow, cartilage erosion, or damage of DDF tendon or navicular bursa. Pain is normally indicated by change in gait and frequent stumbling even on a flat surface. Both front feet are affected, but one foot feels more pain than the other one.
Lameness may switch feet from one to the other and normally starts mild or seasonal before progressing to disabling levels. A scale of 1-5 is used to measure lameness with 1-2 being mild and 3 and beyond being extreme. Animals with the condition should not be worked on hard surfaces because such surfaces worsen the problem. Feet change shape if the signs are left unattended to. The foot that is affected most becomes narrower and more upright.
How serious the problem is determines the treatment to be used to treat it. Permanent changes that cannot be reversed by treatment are known to result if treatment is not sort early enough. That is why first signs to show should be treated immediately. Surgery, medication, and exercise are among the treatment options currently in use.
Exercise requires the animal to be put on a less intensive work schedule as progress is observed. Various medications administered include vasodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs, and anticoagulants. Vasodilators improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels. Surgery is applied in extreme conditions as the last option after all the others are exhausted.
Comments
Post a Comment