There are certain kinds of diseases that affect horses while remain unknown in donkeys and ponies. One such example is the navicular syndrome. This condition is a major cause of chronic forelimb lameness in horses, especially those used for athletic purposes. The condition is degenerative and involves loss of medullary architecture, bone sclerosis, traumatic, fibrillation, and enthesiophyte formation. The disease was discovered long ago and continues to be a problem to date.
The syndrome results from complex pathogenesis rather than a particular disease entity. However, researchers link biochemical and vascular components to it. Additionally, there is a belief that the disease could be hereditary following the decrease in cases after stallions with the conditions were disallowed certification for breeding. The condition seems to be characteristic in mature horses because it does not appear until the animal is 8 to 10 years old.
Level of lameness and disease process seem to get influenced by the conformation of distal limbs. Among the major causes for the problem include long toes, excess pressure on the hoof-pastern, and underrun heels. The happening of aforementioned factors result in excess pressure on the flexor tendon and navicular bone. Damage of the navicular bursitis and the fibrocartilage are additional conditions that can occur.
The disease progresses through stages and the latter stages are normally worse. During early phases of disease, intermittent lameness is observable, but there is no observable head nod because the disease is normally bilateral in nature. Intermittent lameness becomes more visible when moving the animal in circles. Another additional symptom one can observe at this stage is shortened strides. Circular motion can make the situation worse for the animal.
Age and breed are important factors during diagnosis. Horses show a specific reaction to palmar digital nerve anesthesia when a lameness examination is performed. A rate of 11% positives was found using hoof testers by some study, rendering hoof testers quite unsatisfactory in all cases. Anesthesia of navicular bursa has been found to be a precise diagnosis process among all others. However, it is not done during lameness examination because of the complexity of the injection and the amount of pain involved.
The nature of the disease is that it is degenerative and chronic, making achievement of total cure impossible, especially in severe cases. However, in some cases, the condition has always been managed very well. Corrective shoeing and administration of NSAID are among the commonest options for treatment. Phenylbutazone is the most commonly utilized NSAID. However, renal injury and injury are common side effects that could result from using phenylbutazone and as such should be utilized cautiously.
A lot of rest is advised if the condition has gotten worse because drugs may not be as efficient. Drugs and rest should be used in combination with foot care measures. Foot care measures like shoeing would help in restoring alignment and balance in the phalangeal. Two weeks is usually sufficient for determining efficiency of shoeing.
One should seek help immediately the condition is discovered. Severe cases can completely disable the animal. There is a lot of pain associated with the disorder and that should always be taken into account.
The syndrome results from complex pathogenesis rather than a particular disease entity. However, researchers link biochemical and vascular components to it. Additionally, there is a belief that the disease could be hereditary following the decrease in cases after stallions with the conditions were disallowed certification for breeding. The condition seems to be characteristic in mature horses because it does not appear until the animal is 8 to 10 years old.
Level of lameness and disease process seem to get influenced by the conformation of distal limbs. Among the major causes for the problem include long toes, excess pressure on the hoof-pastern, and underrun heels. The happening of aforementioned factors result in excess pressure on the flexor tendon and navicular bone. Damage of the navicular bursitis and the fibrocartilage are additional conditions that can occur.
The disease progresses through stages and the latter stages are normally worse. During early phases of disease, intermittent lameness is observable, but there is no observable head nod because the disease is normally bilateral in nature. Intermittent lameness becomes more visible when moving the animal in circles. Another additional symptom one can observe at this stage is shortened strides. Circular motion can make the situation worse for the animal.
Age and breed are important factors during diagnosis. Horses show a specific reaction to palmar digital nerve anesthesia when a lameness examination is performed. A rate of 11% positives was found using hoof testers by some study, rendering hoof testers quite unsatisfactory in all cases. Anesthesia of navicular bursa has been found to be a precise diagnosis process among all others. However, it is not done during lameness examination because of the complexity of the injection and the amount of pain involved.
The nature of the disease is that it is degenerative and chronic, making achievement of total cure impossible, especially in severe cases. However, in some cases, the condition has always been managed very well. Corrective shoeing and administration of NSAID are among the commonest options for treatment. Phenylbutazone is the most commonly utilized NSAID. However, renal injury and injury are common side effects that could result from using phenylbutazone and as such should be utilized cautiously.
A lot of rest is advised if the condition has gotten worse because drugs may not be as efficient. Drugs and rest should be used in combination with foot care measures. Foot care measures like shoeing would help in restoring alignment and balance in the phalangeal. Two weeks is usually sufficient for determining efficiency of shoeing.
One should seek help immediately the condition is discovered. Severe cases can completely disable the animal. There is a lot of pain associated with the disorder and that should always be taken into account.
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