Degeneration of the navicular bone in horses is a common ailment in horses. Officially known as navicular syndrome or caudal heel pain, the degeneration and associated inflammation can cause significant lameness and can become disabling too. However, the syndrome is not terminal and if diagnosed early and treated well, the horse feels better.
Early diagnosis is what saves a horse sick from caudal heel pain. The signs and symptoms to watch out for include where the horse rests heavily while walking. A sick horse has its heel painful and inflamed and therefore will shift its weight to the toe to avoid the heel. In addition, the time taken to stop a stride becomes longer as a consequence of the pressure on the toe.
In addition, while standing, it will tend to shift the weight from time to time to relieve the pressure and pain on the heel areas. As a result, the horse will also have a rough gait and lame shoulders. It also demonstrates lameness after working which disappears after resting. Lastly, the heel and hoof may grow smaller after contraction due to poor circulation of blood in the foot.
When these symptoms are observed, a veterinary doctor should be contacted. Veterinarians are equipped with the right tools for diagnosis of the caudal heel pain. Among these tools include hoof testers which apply pressure over the frog area. If the area is inflamed, the pressure from the hoof tester produces pain causing the pony to flinch.
Another tool for the diagnosis is a local anesthesia. The anesthesia works by severing nerve supply in the affected area and therefore relieving pain. If the pony has a paining heel, it will walk normally until the anesthesia wears off and the lameness comes back. If the syndrome was not responsible for the lameness, then the horse will still be lame even after the anesthesia.
Is caudal heel pain treated? Yes, and there are several options available. Since the response to any type of treatment option is unpredictable, these treatment options are categorized from conservative to more aggressive. Veterinarians prefer to start with the conservative options gradually to more aggressive measures as they note the response to treatment. Therapeutic shoeing, medication and surgery are among the options available.
Therapeutic shoeing relieves pressure on the heels and therefore pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylybutazone are prescribed. Vasodilators can also be used to increase blood flow to the diseased areas. Surgical treatment is more reliable and has been used for many years to treat caudal heel pain. The procedure involves severing the nerves around the back of its foot to stop sensation in that area. It provides pain relief but for a limited time because the nerves may re-grow.
Navicular disease seems to affect almost all breeds of horses, although thoroughbreds and Warmbloods demonstrate the highest level of incidence while Arabians the least. Caudal heel pain does not paint a very positive picture of a horse after the illness. However, early diagnosis and treatment relives the horse of its suffering and with time, it may be able to get back to its service.
Early diagnosis is what saves a horse sick from caudal heel pain. The signs and symptoms to watch out for include where the horse rests heavily while walking. A sick horse has its heel painful and inflamed and therefore will shift its weight to the toe to avoid the heel. In addition, the time taken to stop a stride becomes longer as a consequence of the pressure on the toe.
In addition, while standing, it will tend to shift the weight from time to time to relieve the pressure and pain on the heel areas. As a result, the horse will also have a rough gait and lame shoulders. It also demonstrates lameness after working which disappears after resting. Lastly, the heel and hoof may grow smaller after contraction due to poor circulation of blood in the foot.
When these symptoms are observed, a veterinary doctor should be contacted. Veterinarians are equipped with the right tools for diagnosis of the caudal heel pain. Among these tools include hoof testers which apply pressure over the frog area. If the area is inflamed, the pressure from the hoof tester produces pain causing the pony to flinch.
Another tool for the diagnosis is a local anesthesia. The anesthesia works by severing nerve supply in the affected area and therefore relieving pain. If the pony has a paining heel, it will walk normally until the anesthesia wears off and the lameness comes back. If the syndrome was not responsible for the lameness, then the horse will still be lame even after the anesthesia.
Is caudal heel pain treated? Yes, and there are several options available. Since the response to any type of treatment option is unpredictable, these treatment options are categorized from conservative to more aggressive. Veterinarians prefer to start with the conservative options gradually to more aggressive measures as they note the response to treatment. Therapeutic shoeing, medication and surgery are among the options available.
Therapeutic shoeing relieves pressure on the heels and therefore pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylybutazone are prescribed. Vasodilators can also be used to increase blood flow to the diseased areas. Surgical treatment is more reliable and has been used for many years to treat caudal heel pain. The procedure involves severing the nerves around the back of its foot to stop sensation in that area. It provides pain relief but for a limited time because the nerves may re-grow.
Navicular disease seems to affect almost all breeds of horses, although thoroughbreds and Warmbloods demonstrate the highest level of incidence while Arabians the least. Caudal heel pain does not paint a very positive picture of a horse after the illness. However, early diagnosis and treatment relives the horse of its suffering and with time, it may be able to get back to its service.
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