Thursday, April 30, 2015

What To Know Regarding Navicular Syndrome

By Toni Vang


Donkeys and ponies have been found to be safe from certain diseases that cause a lot of problems in horses. Such as disease is the navicular syndrome. The disease causes disability in horses used for competitions in athletics. It causes loss of medullary architecture, formation of enthesiophyte, fibrillation and traumatic, and bone sclerosis. Even though the discovery of this illness occurred years ago, it is still a major source of disability today.

The syndrome results from complex pathogenesis rather than a particular disease entity. However, researchers link biochemical and vascular components to it. Additionally, there is a belief that the disease could be hereditary following the decrease in cases after stallions with the conditions were disallowed certification for breeding. The condition seems to be characteristic in mature horses because it does not appear until the animal is 8 to 10 years old.

The process of disease and the degree of lameness are influenced by how the distal limb is conformed. Excess pressure on the hoof-pastern, under run heels, and long toes are among the key causes of this illness in horses. Excess pressure is placed on the flexor tendons and the navicular bones when the aforementioned factors occur. Additionally, those factors also cause the navicular bursitis and the fibrocartilage to be damaged.

The disease progresses through stages and the latter stages are normally worse. During early phases of disease, intermittent lameness is observable, but there is no observable head nod because the disease is normally bilateral in nature. Intermittent lameness becomes more visible when moving the animal in circles. Another additional symptom one can observe at this stage is shortened strides. Circular motion can make the situation worse for the animal.

Diagnosis is based on various factors including breed and age of an animal. Lameness examination reveals a characteristic response from the animal to palmar digital nerve anesthesia. Hoof testers never give positive results as seen in only 11% positives in some studies. The most effective and specific diagnostic procedure is the anesthesia of navicular bursa. However the process is painful and the administering the injection is a complex process.

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.

A lot of rest is advised if the condition has gotten worse because drugs may not be as efficient. Drugs and rest should be used in combination with foot care measures. Foot care measures like shoeing would help in restoring alignment and balance in the phalangeal. Two weeks is usually sufficient for determining efficiency of shoeing.

One should seek help immediately the condition is discovered. Severe cases can completely disable the animal. There is a lot of pain associated with the disorder and that should always be taken into account.




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