Navicular disease is a chronic illness that commonly affects the forelimbs of athletic horses. Although the exact etiology is largely unknown, it is believed that it is the result of many factors that culminate in the degeneration of the navicular bone, one of the components of the foot. Not only does the condition reduce competitiveness, it is also associated with marked pain. In this article, we will explore some important aspects of navicular disease in horses.
The onset of this condition is gradual and characteristically presents with intermittent lameness. When both the anterior and posterior limbs are affected, as happens frequently, making the diagnosis becomes very difficult. This is because the disability on the two limbs cancel out each other. Taking the horse for a lunge might help you notice the abnormality. A more objective way of examining is performing a nerve block in one of the affected limbs.
There are a number of factors that predispose to this problem. Conformational defects within the hoofs of some horses are said to increase the risk of bone damage and concussion. Such will include, for example, small feet, upright pasterns and long toes among others. The problem with such defects is that pressure is not transmitted evenly within all the bones. The navicular bone is particular under increased pressure which causes destruction over time.
Horses that race on hard irregular ground are at a high risk. Such ground has been shown to increase the stress that is exerted on tendons and bones of the feet. The same may happen if your animal spends time in the standing position for prolonged periods. In this position, a lot of weight is transmitted through the feet leading to increased damage to the bones and tendons.
Improper shoes are another common predisposing factor. This has been evidenced by the fact that the problem is way common in domesticated horses as compared to those in the world. Improper shoes may prevent expansion of the feet during movement leading to fractures in some bones and ischemia to some tissues due to impaired blood flow. The solution to this is barefoot trimming.
There are several treatments that can be considered. These are broadly classified into conservative and surgical options. One of the conservative options that are used is NSAID administration. These group of drugs reduce the pain considerably when used but may lead to undesired side effects. Kidney and gastrointestinal system injury are well documented side effects. They can be minimized by interrupting the treatment intermittently.
Steroids are also effective for the management of chronic pain especially if NSAIDs have failed to yield positive results. These are typically administered into the bursa around the navicular bone. An average of 4 months of treatment provides symptomatic relief in at least 80% of affected animals. The main side effect of administering these drugs is increased risk of tendon rupture.
There are a number of surgical options available. What is worth noting is that surgery is not a cure; it merely eases the pain especially if all other options are ineffective. The other advantage is that it improves competitiveness. One of the types performed commonly is known as palmer digital neurectomy.
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