This is a disease that arises from the inflammation of the navicular bone and tissues surrounding the area. It affects the front feet of a horse. As the bone gets subjected to continuous compression, degeneration happens. The cartilage flattens and soon becomes less shock absorbing and springy. The syndrome causes navicular pain on the heel area and eventually leads to lameness in athletic horses.
The pain becomes apparent when the sick horse tends to avoid placing pressure on the bone by transferring pressure to the toe. The horse tends to take longer while stopping on its stride. When it is standing still, the horse tends to shift its position often. It does so to ease pressure on the painful infected bone. This shifting comforts the horse against the pain.
A diagnosis of this condition can be arrived at through both radiography and clinical signs. A good veterinarian can base treatment on their observations extracted from x-rays. Physical examination upon the hoof area of the horse is also revealing. Normally, the infected horse will show quite clear signs that will give the veterinarian some or the full diagnosis.
As the vet carries out and examination, they are bound to figure out the horses painful response as testers are applied on afflicted areas. The reaction corresponds directly to pressure applied on the infected navicular bone. An infected hoof of the most painful horse leg looks smaller than the opposite leg hoof. This results from the shifting of weight by the horses to its healthy leg.
The level of normal performance in the horses activities can be regained to the original levels. This is if proper treatment and care are administered. The disease is treatable and, therefore, not terminal. When a human track event athlete develops bad feet, it does not mean they shall never run again. It just means they become aware about their affliction and, therefore, take the proper care of their affected feet. The same situation is comparable to horses afflicted with the syndrome.
The malady infects both front feet of a horse. The initial examination could identify only one of these legs as afflicted. Soon, however, the nervous system of other leg is blockaded giving the appearance that this horse is limping using the other leg. The limping is the red flag a veterinarian uses to pinpoint the syndrome presence.
The basis for treating the disease rests on picking the right shoes for the particular horse concerned. Frequent corrective shoe adjustments should not be made. This is because horses are infected with the use of faulty under-run or long shoes. One of the best techniques to correct the ailment involves balancing the hooves front to back and from one side to the other. The result is the easing of pain for a sick horse. Both front hooves should be made parallel with a pastern line and the back of the shoe.
Another viable option to treat this disease is Isoxsuprine. This drug has proved very successful against the problem currently. It helps increase blood circulation and flow. It enables dilution of blood vessels on the navicular bone. The requisite exercise can also enhance blood circulation.
The pain becomes apparent when the sick horse tends to avoid placing pressure on the bone by transferring pressure to the toe. The horse tends to take longer while stopping on its stride. When it is standing still, the horse tends to shift its position often. It does so to ease pressure on the painful infected bone. This shifting comforts the horse against the pain.
A diagnosis of this condition can be arrived at through both radiography and clinical signs. A good veterinarian can base treatment on their observations extracted from x-rays. Physical examination upon the hoof area of the horse is also revealing. Normally, the infected horse will show quite clear signs that will give the veterinarian some or the full diagnosis.
As the vet carries out and examination, they are bound to figure out the horses painful response as testers are applied on afflicted areas. The reaction corresponds directly to pressure applied on the infected navicular bone. An infected hoof of the most painful horse leg looks smaller than the opposite leg hoof. This results from the shifting of weight by the horses to its healthy leg.
The level of normal performance in the horses activities can be regained to the original levels. This is if proper treatment and care are administered. The disease is treatable and, therefore, not terminal. When a human track event athlete develops bad feet, it does not mean they shall never run again. It just means they become aware about their affliction and, therefore, take the proper care of their affected feet. The same situation is comparable to horses afflicted with the syndrome.
The malady infects both front feet of a horse. The initial examination could identify only one of these legs as afflicted. Soon, however, the nervous system of other leg is blockaded giving the appearance that this horse is limping using the other leg. The limping is the red flag a veterinarian uses to pinpoint the syndrome presence.
The basis for treating the disease rests on picking the right shoes for the particular horse concerned. Frequent corrective shoe adjustments should not be made. This is because horses are infected with the use of faulty under-run or long shoes. One of the best techniques to correct the ailment involves balancing the hooves front to back and from one side to the other. The result is the easing of pain for a sick horse. Both front hooves should be made parallel with a pastern line and the back of the shoe.
Another viable option to treat this disease is Isoxsuprine. This drug has proved very successful against the problem currently. It helps increase blood circulation and flow. It enables dilution of blood vessels on the navicular bone. The requisite exercise can also enhance blood circulation.
About the Author:
If your horse has been experiencing navicular pain, it is time to call the vets. Learn more about this disease by reading the informative posts at http://www.naviculardisease.com.
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