Every day is a day that horses walking with a limp are seen in the street or on farms. Limps can be as a result of simple injuries in some cases, but in others, they could be caused by underlying medical problems that need quick attention. Navicular syndrome in horses is a collection of disorders which are usually related and have serious and disabling effects.
This condition only occurs in the navicular bone and structures that surround the bone. If the condition goes unnoticed for a long period of time, it is likely to cause permanent lameness in the animal. So far, it is the leading cause for lameness in horses around the world. Even with early discovery, there is no guarantee that the animal will not end up lame. That is how serious the disease can be.
Navicular syndrome is caused by several reasons and it may sometimes be difficult to pinpoint which one is responsible in a certain case. Some studies have come to the conclusion that the cause for the disorder is not known while some link hereditary factors to it. The possibility of heredity playing a role has caused some countries to prohibit use of affected stallions for breeding. Consequently, such countries continue to experience reduced number of cases of the problem.
The disorder occurs when blood supply to the bone is interfered with or when the bone experiences trauma, which may be caused by a multitude of factors. The end result is damage occurring to the bursa, ligaments, and surrounding structures. Lameness occurs when the damage becomes too severe and irrecoverable. The problem is never experienced by young animals, but is more prevalent in those that are at least five years of age.
Symptoms come in different ways and are usually difficult to catch in their initial stages. Low grade lameness is a major symptom in front feet where the disease also occurs mostly. A slight limp can be noticeable at this stage. Failure to correct at this stage makes the condition to worsen. Symptoms can also be intermittent, only observable when the animal is moving in circles or on hard ground.
There are cases when the effects are more severe in one foot. In such instances, movement is characterized by an obvious limp. The affected leg is also usually placed in front by the animal because of too much pain being felt. Additionally, the horse never places its full weight on the hurting heels. It prefers standing on toes. To increases chances of a full recovery, treatment and invention efforts should start at this point.
Diagnosis can be done in many different ways. First, one should maintain a record of symptoms observed for a while. The history could be helpful to the veterinarian when making a diagnosis. Radiography is the main method used to confirm if the problem is really extant.
The problem can also be diagnosed through MRI scans. Both methods show any damages done to the bone. However, scans and pictures taken may be interpreted differently by various veterinarians because of difference in opinion. Professionals hold different opinions on what normal bones should appear like.
This condition only occurs in the navicular bone and structures that surround the bone. If the condition goes unnoticed for a long period of time, it is likely to cause permanent lameness in the animal. So far, it is the leading cause for lameness in horses around the world. Even with early discovery, there is no guarantee that the animal will not end up lame. That is how serious the disease can be.
Navicular syndrome is caused by several reasons and it may sometimes be difficult to pinpoint which one is responsible in a certain case. Some studies have come to the conclusion that the cause for the disorder is not known while some link hereditary factors to it. The possibility of heredity playing a role has caused some countries to prohibit use of affected stallions for breeding. Consequently, such countries continue to experience reduced number of cases of the problem.
The disorder occurs when blood supply to the bone is interfered with or when the bone experiences trauma, which may be caused by a multitude of factors. The end result is damage occurring to the bursa, ligaments, and surrounding structures. Lameness occurs when the damage becomes too severe and irrecoverable. The problem is never experienced by young animals, but is more prevalent in those that are at least five years of age.
Symptoms come in different ways and are usually difficult to catch in their initial stages. Low grade lameness is a major symptom in front feet where the disease also occurs mostly. A slight limp can be noticeable at this stage. Failure to correct at this stage makes the condition to worsen. Symptoms can also be intermittent, only observable when the animal is moving in circles or on hard ground.
There are cases when the effects are more severe in one foot. In such instances, movement is characterized by an obvious limp. The affected leg is also usually placed in front by the animal because of too much pain being felt. Additionally, the horse never places its full weight on the hurting heels. It prefers standing on toes. To increases chances of a full recovery, treatment and invention efforts should start at this point.
Diagnosis can be done in many different ways. First, one should maintain a record of symptoms observed for a while. The history could be helpful to the veterinarian when making a diagnosis. Radiography is the main method used to confirm if the problem is really extant.
The problem can also be diagnosed through MRI scans. Both methods show any damages done to the bone. However, scans and pictures taken may be interpreted differently by various veterinarians because of difference in opinion. Professionals hold different opinions on what normal bones should appear like.
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