The Basics Of Navicular Pain
Re-occurring set of symptoms is what is known as syndrome. Navicular syndrome is the other term used instead of navicular pain. The disorder usually affects horses. An animal with this condition can be nursed or treated back to its previous level of performance. Most horse owners have a tendency of believing that horses suffering from navicular disease are useless when it is not true. Effective treatment is possible if the condition is diagnosed in good time.
Identification of the cause of the problem is based on radiographic views and clinical symptoms. By going for the signs it means that a vet focuses on what is visible during examination while radiographic views involve x-rays snaps of the hooves. X-ray photos are crucial because they help in ruling out other probable causes of lameness. During inspection the vet goes for particular signs like if the animal lands on its heels instead of toes.
Quarterhorses and thoroughbreds are some of the examples that are prone to the condition, although other breeds also get affected. The two breeds are vulnerable to navicular syndrome since they are heavyweight animals standing on comparatively tiny feet. This implies that they exert too much pressure on forelimbs. The disorder mostly occurs between 7 to 14 years, though it may develop at any stage or age.
Physical signs include one hoof being relatively smaller than its opposite front counterpart. This comes about as a result of the animal bearing less or no pressure on that hoof for a long time. The other reason for contracted hoof is poor blood circulation. When standing affected animals usually shift their weight continuously. By doing so they relieve pressure, which causes pain on the heel regions. Placing weight on toes contributes to lameness appearance in the shoulders.
Hoof testers are used alongside other methods. This tool applies pressure over the frog region and the horse flinches due to pain if its hoof is affected. A vet compares the reaction of the animal when the tester is applied on the front and back foot. Another technique involves injection of anesthetic that relieves pain temporarily. The pain maybe raising within the navicular region if the animal walks normally after the injection if it was lame before.
There are several ways of correcting this problem depending on the extend of infection. Drug therapy involving use of Isoxsuprine is common. The drug dilates or expands blood vessels resulting in increased circulation to the affected parts. Most horses respond to this treatment. Isoxsuprine lasts for a given duration and treatment is done repeatedly as required.
Unresponsive occurrences can be addressed by use of chemical blocking agents if surgery is to be avoided. The agents make the nerve injected functionless up to 2 months or 4 months. It is administered after a given duration through the same spot to animals that fail to respond to drug therapies. It is good to delay any form of surgery because of their unforeseen adverse side effects.
To finish, the disorder is not untreatable. It comes about as a result of combined factors such as trauma and poor blood flow among others. Horse owners must protect their horses from developing this condition because it does not go away once it sets in. They must not overfeed them. They must make sure the shoeing is proper and consult professionals if in doubt.
Identification of the cause of the problem is based on radiographic views and clinical symptoms. By going for the signs it means that a vet focuses on what is visible during examination while radiographic views involve x-rays snaps of the hooves. X-ray photos are crucial because they help in ruling out other probable causes of lameness. During inspection the vet goes for particular signs like if the animal lands on its heels instead of toes.
Quarterhorses and thoroughbreds are some of the examples that are prone to the condition, although other breeds also get affected. The two breeds are vulnerable to navicular syndrome since they are heavyweight animals standing on comparatively tiny feet. This implies that they exert too much pressure on forelimbs. The disorder mostly occurs between 7 to 14 years, though it may develop at any stage or age.
Physical signs include one hoof being relatively smaller than its opposite front counterpart. This comes about as a result of the animal bearing less or no pressure on that hoof for a long time. The other reason for contracted hoof is poor blood circulation. When standing affected animals usually shift their weight continuously. By doing so they relieve pressure, which causes pain on the heel regions. Placing weight on toes contributes to lameness appearance in the shoulders.
Hoof testers are used alongside other methods. This tool applies pressure over the frog region and the horse flinches due to pain if its hoof is affected. A vet compares the reaction of the animal when the tester is applied on the front and back foot. Another technique involves injection of anesthetic that relieves pain temporarily. The pain maybe raising within the navicular region if the animal walks normally after the injection if it was lame before.
There are several ways of correcting this problem depending on the extend of infection. Drug therapy involving use of Isoxsuprine is common. The drug dilates or expands blood vessels resulting in increased circulation to the affected parts. Most horses respond to this treatment. Isoxsuprine lasts for a given duration and treatment is done repeatedly as required.
Unresponsive occurrences can be addressed by use of chemical blocking agents if surgery is to be avoided. The agents make the nerve injected functionless up to 2 months or 4 months. It is administered after a given duration through the same spot to animals that fail to respond to drug therapies. It is good to delay any form of surgery because of their unforeseen adverse side effects.
To finish, the disorder is not untreatable. It comes about as a result of combined factors such as trauma and poor blood flow among others. Horse owners must protect their horses from developing this condition because it does not go away once it sets in. They must not overfeed them. They must make sure the shoeing is proper and consult professionals if in doubt.
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