Do you love keeping horses on your ranch? If so, you probably have heard about the navicular syndrome. The navicular horse is, or comes as inflammation, or the degeneration of navicular bone and the tissue surrounding. In many instances, this will attack the front feet. When this syndrome comes, the Horse will suffer disabling lameness.
Let us dwell deeply and learn about this topic.
The so-called navicular syndrome will cause lameness, mainly in horses. The condition can be limited to one limb only. However, you can also see the animal having front feet affected on the hooves. When the condition attacks, it leads to bilateral lameness.
The veterinarians believe this condition comes because of mechanical stress or strains. This comes because of pressure appearing between the DDFT and navicular bone. When this comes, it leads to degeneration of the structures that make up that podotrochlear apparatus. For the animals that have poor feet conformation, it increases the stress.
When the animal gets this condition, the results become chronic. Over time, this will be seen as shortness of strides, pain in the center of the third frog, and toe landing. For the chronic cases, it becomes because the horse uses longer strides, less fluid, and choppier. This comes because the animal will stab their toes trying to clear pressure from the back of the leg.
Veterinarians have tried their best to know where this condition comes from today. The exact cause of the navicular condition has not been known. However, damaging the navicular bone might come because of blood interference and bone trauma. It is known to damage will occur to those deep flexor tendons, ligaments, and bursa all leading to pain and instances of lameness.
The many symptoms might show. However, it is understood that this disease will affect the front feet of horses. When this comes, it causes low-grade bilateral lameness. It starts progressing slowly. In some cases, this lameness will come from time to time when the animal walks on harder ground. Sometimes, one foot gets affected than the other, and this will cause lameness. For the affected animal, they might stand but suffer from more painful sensations with one foot placed on the other.
The diagnosis
When the disease comes, diagnosis has to be done based on symptoms, nerve blocks, radiography, and history. If the vet finds a history of intermittent low grade and repetitive lameness, this is a point to worry about. The affected animals will place their tow down first.
Today, the sick animal will get injections using a local anesthetic around the affected nerves. This sensitizes the foot and navicular bursa. The injection helps to reduce lameness.
In most cases, this condition is treated but becomes hard to cure. You need to carry out corrective trimming and shoeing so that the foot is balanced.
The use of medications can also help to manage pain and allow the animal to walk freely. Some drugs used help to add blood supply to the affected area and improve bone conditions.
Some vets encourage long-term desensitization on the back of the foot through neurectomy.
The use of Gallium nitrates will inhibit bone resorption and bring healing.