Caudal heel pain syndrome is a degenerative disease affecting the structure of hoof in horses. Navicular syndrome is mostly linked to the navicular bone, or distal sesamoid bone. Distal sesamoid bones are small and are set deep within the hooves. They are precisely at the back junctions of the coffin and short pasterns bones.
Caudal heel pain syndrome is associated with pain as a result of alterations in the position of tendons, ligaments, bursa, and bones. Partial limp, which gets worse with time, is seen in affected animals. Affected horses feel pain in the fore feet forcing them want to reduce weight placed on them by any means possible. The most painful hoof is placed ahead of the other when resting.
The other signs of the disease include difficulties when negotiating sharp corners. It also becomes difficult for the animal to walk on rocky ground besides being unable to go downhill. The condition makes the animal uncooperative when being shoed or trimmed since this involves picking up one fore foot while putting pressure on the other hoof supporting the animal. Once, the strain is placed on one hoof the animal feels pain, hence the resistance.
The disorder can affect any type of horse as there is no guarantee that certain breeds do not get affected. Even though, the disease is common in stock type horses like quarter, appaloosas, and paints horses. The condition is worse in thoroughbreds and warmblood horses. On contrary, Arabian breeds hardly suffer from the disorder. Body weight contributes to caudal heel pain as an overweight animal exerts too much pressure exerted on the musculoskeletal system.
The pain reduces with rest but worsens with more work. Once the disorder is determined by a qualified vet the affected horses should be given proper treatment. Treatment may be include altering the schedule or have the horse operated on. Shoeing with shoes having a square shape or trimming the toes is a possible remedy. When this is doing the strain put on the hoof reduces greatly.
Medical prescription involves administering anti-inflammatory medicines such as phenylbutazone. Pentoxifyline, isoxsuprine, and metrenperone are some of the vasodilator drugs applied to increase flow of blood to the painful parts. Administering some drugs is not allowed if the animal is participating in some competitions. Basing on this reason, it is better to check with a highly qualified veterinary prior to giving any medication.
Surgical method to navicular condition entails neurectomy. Neurectomy is simply transection of digital nerve found in the lower pastern part and inhibiting its growth the longest time possible. The surgery has two methods by which it can be achieved. The first method includes cutting the nerve using a blade or operating using sophisticated surgery laser. Each technique is applied when considered necessary and also to reduce chances of complications.
Neurectomy is not therapy rather a technique, which eradicates the pain where all methods have failed. It is a solution that does not last forever because it finally has to be done again at some time. More problems can arise from using the technique even though this rarely happens. Neuroma is the commonest of the complications.it is an aching tumor, which develops at the end of transected nerve.
Caudal heel pain syndrome is associated with pain as a result of alterations in the position of tendons, ligaments, bursa, and bones. Partial limp, which gets worse with time, is seen in affected animals. Affected horses feel pain in the fore feet forcing them want to reduce weight placed on them by any means possible. The most painful hoof is placed ahead of the other when resting.
The other signs of the disease include difficulties when negotiating sharp corners. It also becomes difficult for the animal to walk on rocky ground besides being unable to go downhill. The condition makes the animal uncooperative when being shoed or trimmed since this involves picking up one fore foot while putting pressure on the other hoof supporting the animal. Once, the strain is placed on one hoof the animal feels pain, hence the resistance.
The disorder can affect any type of horse as there is no guarantee that certain breeds do not get affected. Even though, the disease is common in stock type horses like quarter, appaloosas, and paints horses. The condition is worse in thoroughbreds and warmblood horses. On contrary, Arabian breeds hardly suffer from the disorder. Body weight contributes to caudal heel pain as an overweight animal exerts too much pressure exerted on the musculoskeletal system.
The pain reduces with rest but worsens with more work. Once the disorder is determined by a qualified vet the affected horses should be given proper treatment. Treatment may be include altering the schedule or have the horse operated on. Shoeing with shoes having a square shape or trimming the toes is a possible remedy. When this is doing the strain put on the hoof reduces greatly.
Medical prescription involves administering anti-inflammatory medicines such as phenylbutazone. Pentoxifyline, isoxsuprine, and metrenperone are some of the vasodilator drugs applied to increase flow of blood to the painful parts. Administering some drugs is not allowed if the animal is participating in some competitions. Basing on this reason, it is better to check with a highly qualified veterinary prior to giving any medication.
Surgical method to navicular condition entails neurectomy. Neurectomy is simply transection of digital nerve found in the lower pastern part and inhibiting its growth the longest time possible. The surgery has two methods by which it can be achieved. The first method includes cutting the nerve using a blade or operating using sophisticated surgery laser. Each technique is applied when considered necessary and also to reduce chances of complications.
Neurectomy is not therapy rather a technique, which eradicates the pain where all methods have failed. It is a solution that does not last forever because it finally has to be done again at some time. More problems can arise from using the technique even though this rarely happens. Neuroma is the commonest of the complications.it is an aching tumor, which develops at the end of transected nerve.
