Unlike any other equine disease, it has been proven impossible to fully define the equine navicular disease. This is due to the fact there is no single agreed cause of this condition. The veterinarians use the term navicular syndrome to denote the fact that the cause is not defined. There are several theories that have been proposed to explain the condition, but none can fully answer all the questions. This does not mean that it is a terminal condition; it is possible for a horse to recover and go back to its former performance level.
For proper management techniques, it is important that every horse caretaker has the basic ideas when it comes to diagnosis of the condition. Generally, the vets rely on clinical diagnosis, most of which are observation based tests. In order to fully isolate the condition as the cause of lameness, radiography is done to support the clinical evidence. During radiography, x-ray images of the navicular bones are taken to look for changes. This test is important as it helps eliminate other conditions that can result to lameness. The most common ones are heel bruise, a bruise on the sole and the coffin bone crack.
The radiography alone cannot give a conclusive diagnosis given that some horses have changes on their navicular bones, even if they are free of the diseases. When examining horses for sale, it has been observed that up to one third may have these changes even though most of them never develop the condition in their lifetime.
The clinical diagnosis involves several types of tests, including the selective nerve block test which is very common. In addition to this, the vet looks if there has been a history of lameness on the front limbs. If it is a gradual lameness, then it is a tale tells sign.
There are a number of risk factors that the vets look for in their diagnosis. These are the breed and the horse age. Generally, the horses with bigger bodies supported with small legs are at higher risk. These include the thoroughbreds and the quarterhorses. In regards to age factor, the disease onset is at the age of 7 to 14.
The management techniques are many, reflecting on the many possible causes. The use of Bute, for instance, is a common medication used for reducing the inflammation and the resulting pain. It works better if the disease is in its early stages. Alternatively, the horse may be injected with steroids as this reduces the pain associated with the coffin joint and the navicular bursa.
However, the more dependable techniques involve the increase of blood circulation to the joint. There are many ways to achieve this. The Isoxsuprine administration, for instance, is a good example, as it helps by increasing dilation of the small blood vessels. The other alternatives for increasing blood circulation include the use of magnetic hoof and the use of anticoagulant warfarin.
Corrective shoeing is also a common solution for chronic conditions where the shoe is trimmed to a particular specification. Alternatively, the chronic conditions are also rectified by neurectomy in which the nerve to the affected foot is cut above fetlock leaving the horse unable to feel its foot.
For proper management techniques, it is important that every horse caretaker has the basic ideas when it comes to diagnosis of the condition. Generally, the vets rely on clinical diagnosis, most of which are observation based tests. In order to fully isolate the condition as the cause of lameness, radiography is done to support the clinical evidence. During radiography, x-ray images of the navicular bones are taken to look for changes. This test is important as it helps eliminate other conditions that can result to lameness. The most common ones are heel bruise, a bruise on the sole and the coffin bone crack.
The radiography alone cannot give a conclusive diagnosis given that some horses have changes on their navicular bones, even if they are free of the diseases. When examining horses for sale, it has been observed that up to one third may have these changes even though most of them never develop the condition in their lifetime.
The clinical diagnosis involves several types of tests, including the selective nerve block test which is very common. In addition to this, the vet looks if there has been a history of lameness on the front limbs. If it is a gradual lameness, then it is a tale tells sign.
There are a number of risk factors that the vets look for in their diagnosis. These are the breed and the horse age. Generally, the horses with bigger bodies supported with small legs are at higher risk. These include the thoroughbreds and the quarterhorses. In regards to age factor, the disease onset is at the age of 7 to 14.
The management techniques are many, reflecting on the many possible causes. The use of Bute, for instance, is a common medication used for reducing the inflammation and the resulting pain. It works better if the disease is in its early stages. Alternatively, the horse may be injected with steroids as this reduces the pain associated with the coffin joint and the navicular bursa.
However, the more dependable techniques involve the increase of blood circulation to the joint. There are many ways to achieve this. The Isoxsuprine administration, for instance, is a good example, as it helps by increasing dilation of the small blood vessels. The other alternatives for increasing blood circulation include the use of magnetic hoof and the use of anticoagulant warfarin.
Corrective shoeing is also a common solution for chronic conditions where the shoe is trimmed to a particular specification. Alternatively, the chronic conditions are also rectified by neurectomy in which the nerve to the affected foot is cut above fetlock leaving the horse unable to feel its foot.
About the Author:
Discover useful facts about navicular syndrome in horses by reviewing the posts online. Get access to the articles that relate to this disease at http://www.naviculardisease.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment