Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Options For Navicular Disease In Horses
by Karina Frost
Navicular syndrome is a condition that affects various animals and even people. The major cause for the syndrome is degenerated and inflammed tissues and bones around the navicular region. <A href="http://www.naviculardisease.com">Navicular disease in horses</A> begins mildly and proper treatment takes it takes it away in a few months. However, disabling lameness can result if the condition is not treated in good time. The causes, signs, and available treatment options are discussed in this article.
First, it should be understood that there is no single cause for the condition. There are many causes and some appear singly or in combination. There are also several factors that contribute to or accelerate the occurrence of the disease. Although there are many causes, the major ones are compression of navicular bone and landing with the toes first.
DDF tendons and small pastern bones are the ones that feel compression. If the compression continues for long, cartilage starts to degenerate. Degenerated cartilage flattens and loses the springy nature hence, cannot absorb shock. Cartilage may be eroded after some time. Continued erosion exposes the bones beneath opening way for infections and other conditions, which may be more severe.
Recent research indicates that toe-first landing is also a cause for navicular syndrome in horses. Misaligned lower joints is the main cause for landing with toes first. Such landing places excess strain on deep digital flexor tendons. This may result into the problem or serve as a major contributing factor for modifications in bones or inflammation in nearby tendons. Other causes for toe-first landing are poor shoeing, over-trimming, and long toes. Other contributing factors for the occurrence of the condition are shoeing, work, conformation, and body weight.
Signs for navicular disease are many and they may manifest in different ways. The most common of all signs in pain in the heel. Pain may result from inflammation of ligaments, reduced blood flow, cartilage erosion, or damage of DDF tendon or navicular bursa. Pain is normally indicated by change in gait and frequent stumbling even on a flat surface. Both front feet are affected, but one foot feels more pain than the other one.
Lameness sometimes switches between the front feet and usually progresses to severe levels after being mild and intermittent for a while. The level of lameness is determined based on a scale of 1-5. Lameness between 1-2 is considered mild that beyond that level is said to be severe. Working suffering animals on hard surfaces worsens the problems hence, should be avoided. There is change in shape of feet if the signs are not treated. The affected foot develops an upright posture and becomes narrower.
How serious the problem is determines the treatment to be used to treat it. Permanent changes that cannot be reversed by treatment are known to result if treatment is not sort early enough. That is why first signs to show should be treated immediately. Surgery, medication, and exercise are among the treatment options currently in use.
Exercise involves less intensive work schedule for a given period as progress of the disease is observed. Medications include administration of vasodilators, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Vasodilators cause dilation in blood vessels in feet hence improving blood flow. Surgery is normally a last resort and is only recommended in extreme conditions.
<a href="http://www.naviculardisease.com">Read more about</a> How To Identify And Treat Navicular Disease In Horses.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Options For Navicular Disease In Horses
Author: Karina Frost
Email: nathanwebster335@live.com
Keywords: medicine, health, treatment, healthy
Word Count: 551
Category: Medicine
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