Sunday, March 1, 2015

Treating Navicular Disease In Horses

By Olivia Cross


Over the years, veterinarians have been at the forefront trying to come up with theories and various treatment methods for various conditions involving domestic animals. Navicular disease in horses has been one of their major topics for a considerable period. The veterinarian has referred to this illness by various names, but the accepted name in the vernacular is caudal heel pain. It is always devastating to hear a horse diagnosed with this disease, but through proper treatment, the animal can get to its original healthy position.

During the treatment of caudal heel pain, the best remedy one can offer is shoeing and trimming. The main idea behind this is to lower the inner tension that arose mainly when the animal is in motion or moving leading to pressure being applied to its heel. Another option that may be used to reduce this tensions using a wedge. Many other ways relate to horseshoes that one can use to reduce the heel caudal pain, but this option must be selected wisely.

The next method, which might also be applied, is the use of non-steroidal medicines to reduce inflammation. Many veterinarians have recommended these drugs and correctly pointed out on phenylbutazone which an adequate remedy on mild as well as on the medium illness. However, this medication has been noted to have some side effects such as gastric ulcers, and for this reason firocoxib is the most recommended drug since it has no side effects.

If these primary treatments do not work, the next best alternative is the application of corticosteroid, which is an injection drug. It is injected directly into the affected area. The primary objective of this drug is mainly to relieve inflammation in the foot. The steroid that has been injected mainly takes 10 to 14 days to heal fully.

There exists several other treatment methods specially designed for caudal heel pain. Hyaluronic acid and a wave treatment referred to as extracorporeal. This hyaluronic acid is a medication that is applied through injecting joint or can also be done through IV administering. This will significantly reduce inflammation on the affected part.

Another primary medication is Tilden, which has been used over time to treat osteopetrosis in human beings. This form of medicine is now gaining popularity in the treatment of navicular resorption in domestic animals. The doctor administers this drug through perfusion of the region affected or through the intravenous method. The main objective behind all these is to relieve and heal the injured foot.

The surgeon can also offer a solution to this animal affected by caudal heel pain using various methods. The primary method includes severing the nerves that are responsible for supplying sensation towards the rear of the foot also referred to as the neurectomy. This method does relieve the pain and complete healing within a period of 3 to 5 years.

In conclusion, we can clearly state that this disease is not terminal. Its cause has been highly attributed to the trauma and the reduction of the blood supply to the foot area zone. Treatments should done both on clinical as well as on radiographic symptoms. The latest development in the surgical practice.




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