The horse lameness, particularly if it is the front foot easily makes the owner panic. In some situation, others even shy away from their horse, as if it is a terminal condition. This is far from the case, only that the veterinarians have not been able to successfully create awareness in regards to this condition. In fact, the navicular disease in horses has never been fully defined, and the veterinarians often use the term navicular syndrome to denote the fact. There are many theories that try to explain the condition, but none has fully explained the syndrome.
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.
In order to diagnose this syndrome, one needs to look at the forelimbs of the horse. More often than not, the horse will normally have mild lameness at the forelimb. This may be noticed at different limbs at different times. The anti-inflammatories and rest may provide a short time solution as the problem reoccurs later on.
When it comes to clinical diagnosis, the vet normally looks for the signs such as a long history of lameness, particularly in the front leg. This is normally gradual and not just a sudden occurrence. In some cases, the horse appears to limb on one leg but with a proper examination, the two front legs are both affected.
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.
When it comes to the causes, there are no particular causes; instead, the condition is associated with several possible conditions. As such, there are rare cases where one treatment approach will successfully tackle the condition. In order to reduce pain and inflammation, the vets usually chose Bute, particularly at the early stages of the condition.
The other alternative is to inject the horse with steroids. This is the common solution in the situation where the vet suspects that the pain is originating from the navicular bursa or the coffin joint. However, the steroid is not a solution as it does nothing to cure the underlying pathology issues. The other possible solutions include the use of corrective shoeing and the neurectomy.
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.
In order to diagnose this syndrome, one needs to look at the forelimbs of the horse. More often than not, the horse will normally have mild lameness at the forelimb. This may be noticed at different limbs at different times. The anti-inflammatories and rest may provide a short time solution as the problem reoccurs later on.
When it comes to clinical diagnosis, the vet normally looks for the signs such as a long history of lameness, particularly in the front leg. This is normally gradual and not just a sudden occurrence. In some cases, the horse appears to limb on one leg but with a proper examination, the two front legs are both affected.
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.
When it comes to the causes, there are no particular causes; instead, the condition is associated with several possible conditions. As such, there are rare cases where one treatment approach will successfully tackle the condition. In order to reduce pain and inflammation, the vets usually chose Bute, particularly at the early stages of the condition.
The other alternative is to inject the horse with steroids. This is the common solution in the situation where the vet suspects that the pain is originating from the navicular bursa or the coffin joint. However, the steroid is not a solution as it does nothing to cure the underlying pathology issues. The other possible solutions include the use of corrective shoeing and the neurectomy.
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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