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.
A horse with this condition is comparable to a track athlete that is diagnosed with bad feet. In both cases, the athlete just like the horse can still go back to the track and shine as long as the problem is well taken care of. In order to correctly diagnose the condition, the veterinarian has to rely on the clinical as well as radiographic signs. The x-rays images are important to help the vet rule out other possible causes of lameness such as a simple sole bruise, a heel bruise, and the crack of the coffin bone.
The most common sign the vet will normally notice is a history of the front leg lameness which can be gradual. At times, the lameness can be observed on both front feet. The other sign is a history stumbling and developing a choppy gait that appears to be uncomfortable. The condition is also more common with the thoroghbreds and the quarterhorses than other breeds as they are larger in size and rests on small feet. The onset of signs is also common at the age of 7 to 14 although it can occur at any age.
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.
It is true that there are changes in the said bone as this can be noticed from the radiographs; however, most other causes of the disease have no evident bony change. For proper diagnosis, the veterinarian determines the cause of the lameness. Radiography can help eliminate other possible causes such as a crack in the coffin bone, a heel bruise, or a simple sole bruise all which can cause lameness.
In order to reduce symptoms, vets usually resort to techniques that target to increase circulation to the navicular area. This includes the administration of isoxsuprine hydrochloride as it helps in dilating the small blood vessels. The magnetic hoof and the anticoagulant warfarin are both used to increase local circulation, which in turn reduces pain.
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.
In case the condition is long-standing, the vet is more likely to resort to neurectomy. It is a drastic treatment that involves cutting the nerve to the foot just above the fetlock which leaves the entire foot dead. This is not a solution for a riding horse and the horse will stumble often as it cannot tell where the feet are.
A horse with this condition is comparable to a track athlete that is diagnosed with bad feet. In both cases, the athlete just like the horse can still go back to the track and shine as long as the problem is well taken care of. In order to correctly diagnose the condition, the veterinarian has to rely on the clinical as well as radiographic signs. The x-rays images are important to help the vet rule out other possible causes of lameness such as a simple sole bruise, a heel bruise, and the crack of the coffin bone.
The most common sign the vet will normally notice is a history of the front leg lameness which can be gradual. At times, the lameness can be observed on both front feet. The other sign is a history stumbling and developing a choppy gait that appears to be uncomfortable. The condition is also more common with the thoroghbreds and the quarterhorses than other breeds as they are larger in size and rests on small feet. The onset of signs is also common at the age of 7 to 14 although it can occur at any age.
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.
It is true that there are changes in the said bone as this can be noticed from the radiographs; however, most other causes of the disease have no evident bony change. For proper diagnosis, the veterinarian determines the cause of the lameness. Radiography can help eliminate other possible causes such as a crack in the coffin bone, a heel bruise, or a simple sole bruise all which can cause lameness.
In order to reduce symptoms, vets usually resort to techniques that target to increase circulation to the navicular area. This includes the administration of isoxsuprine hydrochloride as it helps in dilating the small blood vessels. The magnetic hoof and the anticoagulant warfarin are both used to increase local circulation, which in turn reduces pain.
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.
In case the condition is long-standing, the vet is more likely to resort to neurectomy. It is a drastic treatment that involves cutting the nerve to the foot just above the fetlock which leaves the entire foot dead. This is not a solution for a riding horse and the horse will stumble often as it cannot tell where the feet are.
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