Navicular is known to be a disease in horses that can be managed if the diagnosis and treatment are done in good time. It mainly affects the front feet where the navicular bone and its surrounding tissues become inflamed and degraded. The most severe cases are characterized by significant lameness in the animal. Navicular pain should not cause unnecessary alarm as it can be controlled using various ways.
The disease can be detected by looking at both the clinical and radiographic signs. In simple terms, the practitioner can look at the x-rays of the hoof region as well as by directly looking for outright signs during a physical examination. There are several causes of this pain making the x-rays the surest way to diagnose the syndrome.
There are obvious signs that the veterinarian needs to be keen and watch out for. Limping that is caused by shifting all the weight from the heel to the toe because of the pain, a painful response when hoof testers are used on the middle third of the frog and finally the presence of long toes resulting in under run heels which usually causes the disease.
Horses thought to suffer from the condition will be lame on both front legs but will seem lame o one leg when examinations are first carried out. This phenomenon occurs as soon as there is nerve blockage in one leg and the horse limps on the opposite leg to ease the pain. This is the most important indication that the horse may be having the disease.
Correct and not corrective shoeing should form the basis for treatment for this syndrome. People who own horses should know the principle of balancing hooves front to back and side to side. In addition, the back of their hoof is supposed to be parallel to their pastern while fore hoof should align parallel to their pastern line.
The most common problem seen with horses suffering from this condition is long toes and under run heels which can be controlled by trimming the long toe away. Correcting the heel is a difficult problem as the shoe has to be extended backward from the heel to the place where it should have been if the heel was not worn out.
Drug therapy is also important in treating the syndrome that must be combined with other methods. The most successful drug that has been use for the disease is known as Isoxuprine which dilates the blood vessels causing better circulation to navicular bones. About 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease can be cured by it according to reports.
The most effective way of increasing blood circulation to the foot is through exercising which is another form of treatment. The horse should be taught how to shift more weight to its hind legs. Trainers use the long and low method to make sure that this animal learns this. Pain is eventually done away with as soon as the horse becomes more proficient with the weight shifting.
The disease can be detected by looking at both the clinical and radiographic signs. In simple terms, the practitioner can look at the x-rays of the hoof region as well as by directly looking for outright signs during a physical examination. There are several causes of this pain making the x-rays the surest way to diagnose the syndrome.
There are obvious signs that the veterinarian needs to be keen and watch out for. Limping that is caused by shifting all the weight from the heel to the toe because of the pain, a painful response when hoof testers are used on the middle third of the frog and finally the presence of long toes resulting in under run heels which usually causes the disease.
Horses thought to suffer from the condition will be lame on both front legs but will seem lame o one leg when examinations are first carried out. This phenomenon occurs as soon as there is nerve blockage in one leg and the horse limps on the opposite leg to ease the pain. This is the most important indication that the horse may be having the disease.
Correct and not corrective shoeing should form the basis for treatment for this syndrome. People who own horses should know the principle of balancing hooves front to back and side to side. In addition, the back of their hoof is supposed to be parallel to their pastern while fore hoof should align parallel to their pastern line.
The most common problem seen with horses suffering from this condition is long toes and under run heels which can be controlled by trimming the long toe away. Correcting the heel is a difficult problem as the shoe has to be extended backward from the heel to the place where it should have been if the heel was not worn out.
Drug therapy is also important in treating the syndrome that must be combined with other methods. The most successful drug that has been use for the disease is known as Isoxuprine which dilates the blood vessels causing better circulation to navicular bones. About 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease can be cured by it according to reports.
The most effective way of increasing blood circulation to the foot is through exercising which is another form of treatment. The horse should be taught how to shift more weight to its hind legs. Trainers use the long and low method to make sure that this animal learns this. Pain is eventually done away with as soon as the horse becomes more proficient with the weight shifting.
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