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 syndrome can be as a result of one or more underlying pathologies in or anywhere close to the navicular bone. However, changes can be seen on these bones from the radiographs (x-rays) during the examination when buying the horse and it never develops the condition in its lifetime. This implies that such changes alone do not confirm the diagnosis, and that is why clinical tests like the selective nerve blocks are necessary.
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 several tests that will be done to observe these. However, some breeds are at higher risk than others. The most affect breeds are the quarterhorses and the thoroughbreds. Age factor can only help in diagnosis as the disease onset is more likely to be at the age of 7 to 14.
When it comes to treatment and management, Bute is known to reduce the inflammation and the associated pain. The other most common option is to inject the horse with steroids as it helps deal with the pain that originates from either the coffin joint or 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 syndrome can be as a result of one or more underlying pathologies in or anywhere close to the navicular bone. However, changes can be seen on these bones from the radiographs (x-rays) during the examination when buying the horse and it never develops the condition in its lifetime. This implies that such changes alone do not confirm the diagnosis, and that is why clinical tests like the selective nerve blocks are necessary.
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 several tests that will be done to observe these. However, some breeds are at higher risk than others. The most affect breeds are the quarterhorses and the thoroughbreds. Age factor can only help in diagnosis as the disease onset is more likely to be at the age of 7 to 14.
When it comes to treatment and management, Bute is known to reduce the inflammation and the associated pain. The other most common option is to inject the horse with steroids as it helps deal with the pain that originates from either the coffin joint or 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.
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