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The Navicular Disease Treatment Choices

By Carol Bell


There are many causes associated with heel illness. However, it has not been possible to come up with a solid cure. Instead, veterinaries recommend several management activities to ease pain and allow animals to walk comfortably. Navicular disease treatment management options are divided into non-medical, medicinal and surgical procedures. Sections below briefly explain what each entails.

First signs of hoof ailments are reflected on hooves. For this reason, before trying any other form of cure, ensure proper shoeing is done regularly. Shoeing is a process of balancing all sides of hooves. Ideally, hoof front should lie parallel to the pastern line while back side lies parallel to the pastern itself. Most limping horses have longer toes than normal as well as under-run heels. If trimmed to normal size, limping reduces and horses become more comfortable.

If the size of toes does not require trimming, then specialists can try padding affected area to raise angular positioning. Ideally, if back and front hoof areas lie flat, more pressure will be exerted on flexor tendons. As pressure increases, blood circulation reduces. Ultimately, horse movement is affected. Padding reduces tension by maintaining normal pastern-heel axis. It works gradually depending on how much angular distortion had happened. Additionally, some horses do not respond positively to this form of therapy.

If therapeutic curative measures do not work, a different methodology is the use of medication. There are numerous medications depending on the cause of lameness. Medication involves the use of anti-inflammatory medicines such as Bute. Dosage is determined by two factors. First, specialists must have diagnosed the causes of pain. Next is their work schedule. To minimize medication, administer drugs only on days surrounding working periods. However, only a specialist can work out a specific dosage.

While most heel-pain responds positively to therapy coupled with Bute, some do not go away. If experiencing that, a variant form of medication is Isoxsuprine. Vessels contract with continued exertion of the pressure reducing blood flow from the heel area. Isoxsuprine works by dilating these vessels to allow more blood to flow within a given time. However, the effectiveness of this medication is in question since constriction continues to happen as long as heels are under tension.

Besides medication and therapy, surgery works to relieve extreme pain on heels. Digital Neurectomy is a common surgical operation that involves transecting nerves on the lower the pastern part. Operation techniques have greatly improved over time. Initially, it would be done with a simple cutting blade. Today, the transection is highly mechanized through use of laser machines.

The last option when every other medication has failed is Neurectomy. Unlike other management procedures, Neurectomy only aims at reducing pain. Hooves continue degenerating from inside with time. For this reason, it can only be adopted if all other medications do not work.

Even though the nerving has been the most effective method, results are not permanent. This is because the nerves continue growing even after being cut. Differently, more serious cases may erupt after surgery. To offer lasting solutions, specialists must keep repeating procedure they hope more permanent solutions will be invented.




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