In short, no horse owner wants to hear that their horse has thsyndrome, as it isis not curable.
The signs of navicular disease that one should keep an eye out for will indicate whether or not you require the services of an equine vet.
Let us take a look at these signs:
- Shortened Strides
This is most easily seen if the horse is proceeding down a slope.
- Reluctance to Turning
- Alternating Lameness
The reason that this happens is because the disease actually affects the front feet in varying degrees, leading to alternating lameness.
According to number of equine vets, navicular disease/syndrome is actually over diagnosed.
While vets are not entirely sure what actually causes bone degeneration in navicular horses, they are of the opinion that it is degenerative, much the same as arthritis is.
Horses that tend to work on hard surfaces, and routinely perform hard work, are more likely to suffer from the disease.
It used to be seen as a very common disease, but now is considered by many an equine vet to be less common than originally thought.
It would seem that the primary cause of lameness centers round foot problems.
Before an equine vet renders a diagnoses of navicular disease there are some other issues that bear consideration beforehand.
While some believe that the hoof shape will indicate whether a horse is at a greater risk of suffering with the disease, it would seem that the hoof shape really is not much of a consideration after all.
Most of the time horses that perform hard work on hard surfaces are most at risk.
Age is another factor that bears consideration.
Horses that are between 7 and 11 years old are more often seen with the disease.
The diagnostic process can be hampered due to the fact that navicular disease presents in much the same way as sore heels.
Horses that point with their front feet, by standing with their front feet far in front of the body, could indicate either sore heels OR navicular disease.
In fact, there are a number of diseases that can mimic navicular disease.
Because of this fact, an equine vet should be reluctant to immediately render a diagnosis without further tests.
Unfortunately, there is no single test that will determine whether a horse has this disease or not.
Usually, a series of tests are conducted which include: 1.
Hoof tests 2.
Nerve block tests 3.
X-rays 4.
Stress tests 5.
Bone scans Thankfully, studies are moving forward with regard to the use of other diagnostic tools to help in the diagnostic process, such as MRI and ultrasound.
The majority vets will refrain from diagnosing navicular disease until such time as the horse has failed to respond to treatment.
Treatment is given about 3 months to take effect.
Therefore, an equine vet that diagnoses this disease after no more than a cursory examination should indicate that a second opinion is called for.
If, after all the tests, a diagnosis of navicular disease is rendered, it is important to understand that there is no known cure.
Nevertheless, the welfare of the animal should be a primary concern.
That being said, easing the suffering caused by the disease is possible.
For one thing, fitting new shoes is called for.
You might also have to revise your trimming techniques.
Both of these can help in relieving pain.
Also, some anti-inflammatory meds can also help by reducing the swelling.
In severe cases, removing the nerves in the area in an operation called Neurectomy can help as well, but it is only a temporary fix.