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What To Know Regarding Navicular Syndrome

By Toni Vang


Certain diseases have been known to affect horses while remaining unknown in ponies and donkeys. Navicular syndrome is an example of such disease. The disease causes lameness in many horses, particularly those involved in athletics. It is a degenerative condition that causes loss of medullary architecture, fibrillation, traumatic and enthesiophyte formation, and bone sclerosis. Regardless of this disease being discovered years ago, it continues to be source of trouble even 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.

How well the distal limb is conformed seems to play a major role in influencing the disease process and the level of lameness. Some of the most likely causes are long toes, underrun heels, and excess pressure placed on the hoof-pastern. The result of aforementioned factors is excess pressure being imposed on the navicular bone and flexor tendon. Other conditions that are likely to result are damage of fibrocartilage and navicular bursitis.

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.

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.

In cases where the lameness is much worse, efficiency of drugs could be limited, leaving rest as the only recommendable treatment. Incorporating foot care measures can also work well together with drugs. The alignment and balance of phalangeal could be restored by trimming and shoeing the hooves. A period of two weeks is enough to determine if the shoeing is effective.

Seeking medical assistance the minute the problem is discovered is advisable. Total disability could result if one delays. Animals that are not treated on time undergo a lot of pain.




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