There are certain kinds of diseases that affect horses while remain unknown in donkeys and ponies. One such example is the navicular syndrome. This condition is a major cause of chronic forelimb lameness in horses, especially those used for athletic purposes. The condition is degenerative and involves loss of medullary architecture, bone sclerosis, traumatic, fibrillation, and enthesiophyte formation. The disease was discovered long ago and continues to be a problem to date.
The source of the condition is not a disease entity, but rather complex pathogenesis. However, research links a biochemical and vascular component to it. Additionally, this problem is also believed to be hereditary because instances reduced after disallowing breeding certification to stallions with this condition. The condition never appears till the age of 8 to 10, making it to be characteristic in mature horses.
Level of lameness and disease process seem to get influenced by the conformation of distal limbs. Among the major causes for the problem include long toes, excess pressure on the hoof-pastern, and underrun heels. The happening of aforementioned factors result in excess pressure on the flexor tendon and navicular bone. Damage of the navicular bursitis and the fibrocartilage are additional conditions that can occur.
The disease occurs in stages with later stages getting worse and severe. When the disease is still in its early stages, there is intermittent lameness and owing to its bilateral nature, there may never be any visible head nod. This is especially when moving the animal on a straight line. One of the mild signs at this stage is a shortened stride. During early stages, the condition could be worsened when the horse is moved in circles.
Age and breed of an animal are some of the factors based on when making a diagnosis. Performing a lameness examination should show a characteristic to palmar digital nerve anesthesia by the animal. Some studies only revealed 11% of positive results from hoof testers, making the test to be regarded as not sufficient in all cases. Anesthesia of navicular bursa seems to be the most effective and precise diagnosis process. However, owing to the amount of pain involved and the complexity of the injection, this process is not performed during lameness examination.
The nature of the disease is that it is degenerative and chronic, making achievement of total cure impossible, especially in severe cases. However, in some cases, the condition has always been managed very well. Corrective shoeing and administration of NSAID are among the commonest options for treatment. Phenylbutazone is the most commonly utilized NSAID. However, renal injury and injury are common side effects that could result from using phenylbutazone and as such should be utilized cautiously.
The efficiency of drugs is also limited and in cases where lameness is severe, rest is the most recommended idea. Besides drugs, measures of foot care are also helpful. The hooves could be trimmed and shoed to restore the normal balance and alignment of phalangeal. The efficiency of the shoes can be determined after two weeks.
It is recommendable to seek assistance immediately the condition is discovered. Animals can be disabled by severe cases. Animals feel a lot of pain if not treated in time.
The source of the condition is not a disease entity, but rather complex pathogenesis. However, research links a biochemical and vascular component to it. Additionally, this problem is also believed to be hereditary because instances reduced after disallowing breeding certification to stallions with this condition. The condition never appears till the age of 8 to 10, making it to be characteristic in mature horses.
Level of lameness and disease process seem to get influenced by the conformation of distal limbs. Among the major causes for the problem include long toes, excess pressure on the hoof-pastern, and underrun heels. The happening of aforementioned factors result in excess pressure on the flexor tendon and navicular bone. Damage of the navicular bursitis and the fibrocartilage are additional conditions that can occur.
The disease occurs in stages with later stages getting worse and severe. When the disease is still in its early stages, there is intermittent lameness and owing to its bilateral nature, there may never be any visible head nod. This is especially when moving the animal on a straight line. One of the mild signs at this stage is a shortened stride. During early stages, the condition could be worsened when the horse is moved in circles.
Age and breed of an animal are some of the factors based on when making a diagnosis. Performing a lameness examination should show a characteristic to palmar digital nerve anesthesia by the animal. Some studies only revealed 11% of positive results from hoof testers, making the test to be regarded as not sufficient in all cases. Anesthesia of navicular bursa seems to be the most effective and precise diagnosis process. However, owing to the amount of pain involved and the complexity of the injection, this process is not performed during lameness examination.
The nature of the disease is that it is degenerative and chronic, making achievement of total cure impossible, especially in severe cases. However, in some cases, the condition has always been managed very well. Corrective shoeing and administration of NSAID are among the commonest options for treatment. Phenylbutazone is the most commonly utilized NSAID. However, renal injury and injury are common side effects that could result from using phenylbutazone and as such should be utilized cautiously.
The efficiency of drugs is also limited and in cases where lameness is severe, rest is the most recommended idea. Besides drugs, measures of foot care are also helpful. The hooves could be trimmed and shoed to restore the normal balance and alignment of phalangeal. The efficiency of the shoes can be determined after two weeks.
It is recommendable to seek assistance immediately the condition is discovered. Animals can be disabled by severe cases. Animals feel a lot of pain if not treated in time.
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