Tips On Navicular Syndrome In Horses
This disease mostly affects the front feet and is associated with the congestion of the blood vessels usually in the navicular bone and tissues in the surrounding area. Constant subjection of the bone to compression causes the cartilage to wear out slowly hence becoming less springy and less resistant to shock. Navicular syndrome in horses therefore brings pain to the heel region and eventually leads to lameness in track horses.
One will notice that the sick horse will avoid applying pressure to the bone by placing its weight on the toe. It will also take a longer time than is expected in order to stop a stride and shift its position often when it is standing. This is an attempt to ease the pain and pressure from the infected bone; hence, giving the animal some comfort by easing the pain.
Radiographic and clinical signs form the basis of diagnosis of this condition. A specialist physically examines the hoof of the affected leg as well as x-ray images from which they base their treatment. They get some or all information needed for their job due to the depiction of clear signs from the animal which some of them are evident especially in their posture and movement.
During observation by a veterinarian, they will note that the horse responds with pain when the testers are used on it. This reaction is correspondent to pressure applied to the navicular bone. Conversely, the hoof of the most affected leg is apparently smaller than the hoof of their opposite leg because the horse mostly shifts all of its weight to that leg.
The level of performance and the normalcy of animals activities can get back to expected levels if proper care and treatment is given to this animal as the disease is not terminal. When human track athlete has bad feet, that does not mean that they will never run again. It only means that they have to be well aware of this condition and take good care of their feet. This situation can be comparable to this condition in horses.
Normally, these animals are actually lame on both front feet but when initially examined, they will seem to be lame only on one leg. However, when the nervous system of that leg suffer blockage, it appears to be limping with the other leg. This phenomenon of limping is a red flag to vets that acts as an indication of the syndrome.
Correct shoeing as opposed to corrective shoeing should form the basis treatment of this disease as most animals get affected due to long shoes an under run heels. It is therefore important for the owner to practice the essential theory of balancing the hooves front to back and side to side. In other words, the front hoof and the back of the shoe should be made to be collimated to its pastern.
Drug therapy is another option for treatment with lsoxsuprine being the most successful drug that has been used. It facilitates the increment of blood circulation as well as dilating the blood vessels in the navicular bone. Exercise is another alternative for enhancing blood circulation.
One will notice that the sick horse will avoid applying pressure to the bone by placing its weight on the toe. It will also take a longer time than is expected in order to stop a stride and shift its position often when it is standing. This is an attempt to ease the pain and pressure from the infected bone; hence, giving the animal some comfort by easing the pain.
Radiographic and clinical signs form the basis of diagnosis of this condition. A specialist physically examines the hoof of the affected leg as well as x-ray images from which they base their treatment. They get some or all information needed for their job due to the depiction of clear signs from the animal which some of them are evident especially in their posture and movement.
During observation by a veterinarian, they will note that the horse responds with pain when the testers are used on it. This reaction is correspondent to pressure applied to the navicular bone. Conversely, the hoof of the most affected leg is apparently smaller than the hoof of their opposite leg because the horse mostly shifts all of its weight to that leg.
The level of performance and the normalcy of animals activities can get back to expected levels if proper care and treatment is given to this animal as the disease is not terminal. When human track athlete has bad feet, that does not mean that they will never run again. It only means that they have to be well aware of this condition and take good care of their feet. This situation can be comparable to this condition in horses.
Normally, these animals are actually lame on both front feet but when initially examined, they will seem to be lame only on one leg. However, when the nervous system of that leg suffer blockage, it appears to be limping with the other leg. This phenomenon of limping is a red flag to vets that acts as an indication of the syndrome.
Correct shoeing as opposed to corrective shoeing should form the basis treatment of this disease as most animals get affected due to long shoes an under run heels. It is therefore important for the owner to practice the essential theory of balancing the hooves front to back and side to side. In other words, the front hoof and the back of the shoe should be made to be collimated to its pastern.
Drug therapy is another option for treatment with lsoxsuprine being the most successful drug that has been used. It facilitates the increment of blood circulation as well as dilating the blood vessels in the navicular bone. Exercise is another alternative for enhancing blood circulation.
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