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Understanding What Navicular Pain Is About And Possible Treatments

By Alta Alexander


Recurring group of symptoms is what is referred to as syndrome. Navicular pain is also known as navicular syndrome. Horses with this condition can be treated and nursed back to their initial levels of performance. Most people believe that a horse diagnosed with this condition cannot run when in reality this is not true. Early diagnosis is important for effective treatment.

Identification of the cause of the problem is based on radiographic views and clinical symptoms. By going for the signs it means that a vet focuses on what is visible during examination while radiographic views involve x-rays snaps of the hooves. X-ray photos are crucial because they help in ruling out other probable causes of lameness. During inspection the vet goes for particular signs like if the animal lands on its heels instead of toes.

Quarterhorses and thoroughbreds breeds are suffer most from this condition, even though other breeds also suffer from this condition. The two breeds are susceptible to navicular disorders as they are heavyweights supported by relatively tiny feet. This results in them exerting excess pressure on their forelimbs. The disorder is prevalent at 14 to 7 years, even though it can develop at any stage.

Visible symptoms present themselves in form of one forelimb being smaller than its twin. This happens because the animal puts no or less weight on that particular limb for long. Low blood flow can also account for contracted foot. While at rest a sick horse tends to alter its weight repeatedly. In doing so it eases strain, which causes pain on the frog parts. Bearing much pressure on toes cause the shoulders to have a lame appearance.

Hoof testers are used alongside other methods. This tool applies pressure over the frog region and the horse flinches due to pain if its hoof is affected. A vet compares the reaction of the animal when the tester is applied on the front and back foot. Another technique involves injection of anesthetic that relieves pain temporarily. The pain maybe raising within the navicular region if the animal walks normally after the injection if it was lame before.

There are many ways of rectifying the problem according to the degree of infection. Isoxsuprine is commonly administered under drug therapy. It expands or widens blood vessels causing better blood circulation to the troubled parts. There are higher chances of most horses responding to this treatment. Isoxsuprine functions for a particular duration after which it is administered again.

Unresponsive occurrences can be addressed by use of chemical blocking agents if surgery is to be avoided. The agents make the nerve injected functionless up to 2 months or 4 months. It is administered after a given duration through the same spot to animals that fail to respond to drug therapies. It is good to delay any form of surgery because of their unforeseen adverse side effects.

To finish, the disorder is not untreatable. It comes about as a result of combined factors such as trauma and poor blood flow among others. Horse owners must protect their horses from developing this condition because it does not go away once it sets in. They must not overfeed them. They must make sure the shoeing is proper and consult professionals if in doubt.




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