Musculoskeletal Pt 2 Flashcards
What’re the initial signs of navicular syndrome
subtle shortening of stride, shift weight, stand with foot pointed forward
What age/breed of horse typically gets navicular
7-9 years (prime). quarter horses, thoroughbreds, warmbloods (dutch)
Why do we think navicular has a hereditary predisposition
Dutch Warmblood stallions with severe navicular were not allowed to be certified = decreased incidence
How do you diagnose navicular syndrome
short stride, affected when inside foot on circle, hard ground, hoof testers, nerve block, radiographs, ultrasound, MRI, nuclear scintigraphy
What does navicular DP view mean
beam is going from dorsal to palmar
How do you treat navicular syndrome
Shoeing (heel wedges)
Drugs (NSAIDs, vasodilator, joint injections of SAIDs, Osphos)
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Neurectomy
What are NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
What are the two most common NSAIDs
Flunixin meglumine and Phenylbutazone
What do flunixin and phenylbutazone both do
Anti-inflammatory
Pain relief
fever reducer
What makes flunixin special
It is an anti-endotoxic, so can treat colic
What are the downsides of flunixin and phenylbutazone
Can cause stomach ulcers and kidney damage
What is isoxuprine
Vasodilator used to treat navicular
What is a SAID
Steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
What is the benefit of using a SAID
You can increase dosage (small amount= anti-inflammatory, a lot = modify immune response)
What is Osphos
Osphos prevents osteoclasts from functioning (they break down bone when remodeling; osteoblasts form new bone) which prevents navicular syndrome
What procedures can treat navicular syndrome
Non-invasive = extracorporeal shockwave therapy (pressure wave through soft-tissue)
Invasive = neurectomy (nerving)
Why is shockwave dangerous
Can result in temporary pain relief and horse can further injure
Why is nerving dangerous
There is no more pain but the nerve is cut so the horse can not feel anything (abscesses, nails). Most vets won’t. Horse can also be sold as “sound”
Can also be temporary and when grow back = neuroma’s which are painful
Prognosis of navicular
Chronic/frustrating, but manageable
What do SAIDs do
Combat inflammation, modifies immune response
What are the joint treatments
Hyaluronic acid, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG)
A horse has an inflammatory condition affecting the sensitive laminae of the foot, what is it?
Laminitis/founder
What are laminae
Fingerlike projections that line the coffin bone connecting it to the insensitive laminae on the inner surface of the hoof wall
What does a horse with laminitis look like
Leaning backwards trying to take weight off front end
Is laminitis just a foot problem
No
Diet problem, muscle problem, skeletal problem, hormone problem
MULTIFACTORIAL
What breeds is laminitis common in
Ponies, morgans, QH (all breeds susceptible)
What is wrong with horses eating straw?
There is an unpredictable level of non-structural carbs like sugar = laminitis
Should you give banamine (flunixin) IM?
NO = raging clostridial infection at site
Give it IV
What is a sugardyne poultice
Mix iodine with sugar. Iodine is antiseptic, sugar is hyperosmotic
What is proud flesh
Exuberant granulation tissue
What causes laminitis
Multifactorial (obesity, CHO, trauma, metabolic diseases)
What is rotation vs sinking
Rotation = detached pedal bone rotates in either direction
Sinking = pedal bone forced downwards
How do you treat laminitis
Treat the underlying cause, reduce inflammation with NSAIDs, improve blood flow (vasodilators), foot care (square toes)
How do you treat chronic laminitis
Maintain optimal foot balance, radiographs
Extreme = transection of deep digital flexor tendon (it pulls on the coffin bone)
How serious is laminitis
Mild cases can be resolved, but can also be lethal
What are the complications of laminitis
Abscessation, rotation
