Important Aspects Of Navicular Disease In Horses
Navicular disease is a chronic illness that commonly affects the forelimbs of athletic horses. Although the exact etiology is largely unknown, it is believed that it is the result of many factors that culminate in the degeneration of the navicular bone, one of the components of the foot. Not only does the condition reduce competitiveness, it is also associated with marked pain. In this article, we will explore some important aspects of navicular disease in horses.
The onset of this disease is insidious. Affected horse will be noted to have intermittent lameness in the initial stages. Frequently both the anterior and posterior limbs are affected at the same time. This makes it difficult to make the diagnosis as the two cancel each other out. One of the ways that you can use to assess the problem is to take the horse for a lunge and ensure that it moves in circles in different directions. You will see a limp on the affected limbs.
There are several factors that have been established to predispose to the condition. Conformational abnormalities relating to the hoofs are one of the commonest problems. Those at the greatest risk are narrow, upright, small or have long toes. With such abnormalities, the distribution of weight through the feet is uneven. Some of the tarsal bones such as the navicular bone are progressively damaged leading to lameness.
Horses that race on hard irregular ground are at a high risk. Such ground has been shown to increase the stress that is exerted on tendons and bones of the feet. The same may happen if your animal spends time in the standing position for prolonged periods. In this position, a lot of weight is transmitted through the feet leading to increased damage to the bones and tendons.
Wrong shoe size is another possible predisposing factor. This has been established following a study involving domestic and wild horses. In this study it has been shown that the problem is more prevalent among domestic than wild horses most likely due to running shoes. The shoes prevent expansion of feet during running and contribute to gradual destruction of navicular bones. Barefoot trimming may help in some cases.
There are a number of treatment options that can be considered once the disease has established itself. These options may be either conservative or invasive. Using NSAIDs such as phenylbutazone and firocoxib helps to minimize the pain. Prolonged use of NSAIDs is associated with some adverse effects in the kidney and the gastrointestinal tract hence should be stopped intermittently to allow for recovery of these systems.
Steroids are also effective for the management of chronic pain especially if NSAIDs have failed to yield positive results. These are typically administered into the bursa around the navicular bone. An average of 4 months of treatment provides symptomatic relief in at least 80% of affected animals. The main side effect of administering these drugs is increased risk of tendon rupture.
There are several types of surgeries that can be performed. It should be emphasized that surgery merely provides relief but not cure. Surgery may also improve competitiveness. Palmer digital neurectomy is the commonest type of surgery that is performed.
The onset of this disease is insidious. Affected horse will be noted to have intermittent lameness in the initial stages. Frequently both the anterior and posterior limbs are affected at the same time. This makes it difficult to make the diagnosis as the two cancel each other out. One of the ways that you can use to assess the problem is to take the horse for a lunge and ensure that it moves in circles in different directions. You will see a limp on the affected limbs.
There are several factors that have been established to predispose to the condition. Conformational abnormalities relating to the hoofs are one of the commonest problems. Those at the greatest risk are narrow, upright, small or have long toes. With such abnormalities, the distribution of weight through the feet is uneven. Some of the tarsal bones such as the navicular bone are progressively damaged leading to lameness.
Horses that race on hard irregular ground are at a high risk. Such ground has been shown to increase the stress that is exerted on tendons and bones of the feet. The same may happen if your animal spends time in the standing position for prolonged periods. In this position, a lot of weight is transmitted through the feet leading to increased damage to the bones and tendons.
Wrong shoe size is another possible predisposing factor. This has been established following a study involving domestic and wild horses. In this study it has been shown that the problem is more prevalent among domestic than wild horses most likely due to running shoes. The shoes prevent expansion of feet during running and contribute to gradual destruction of navicular bones. Barefoot trimming may help in some cases.
There are a number of treatment options that can be considered once the disease has established itself. These options may be either conservative or invasive. Using NSAIDs such as phenylbutazone and firocoxib helps to minimize the pain. Prolonged use of NSAIDs is associated with some adverse effects in the kidney and the gastrointestinal tract hence should be stopped intermittently to allow for recovery of these systems.
Steroids are also effective for the management of chronic pain especially if NSAIDs have failed to yield positive results. These are typically administered into the bursa around the navicular bone. An average of 4 months of treatment provides symptomatic relief in at least 80% of affected animals. The main side effect of administering these drugs is increased risk of tendon rupture.
There are several types of surgeries that can be performed. It should be emphasized that surgery merely provides relief but not cure. Surgery may also improve competitiveness. Palmer digital neurectomy is the commonest type of surgery that is performed.
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