Equine Lameness
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Transcript of Equine Lameness
Equine Lameness
Equine Lameness Exam One of the most common (if not the #1) body
systems evaluated and treated is the musculoskeletal system
Detecting the source of lameness can be daunting – many probs. have no obvious external signs
Common Clinical Signs include swelling, heat Discharge muscle atrophy lameness (#1)
Equine Lameness Exam
Equine Lameness Exam
3 reasons for lameness include: Pain (#1) Mechanical interference w/out
pain (scar tissue) Neurological
Equine Lameness Exam
3 goals of a lameness exam Identify the location Diagnose Treatment plan
Equine Lameness Exam 1st step is to obtain a complete history
- Signalment- Length of issue- Previous health issues- Speed of onset- Exercise induced- Known trauma- Any treatment started - Pattern to the lameness
Equine Lameness Exam Next the horse is observed at rest & in
motion Rest
Observe from a distance for any obvious abnormalities, confirmation, how horse stands (holds legs)
Motion Observe horse walking to & from the
clinician, may need multiple surface types, may need to remove shoes, observe head & neck carriage
Equine Lameness Exam Motion (cont.)
1. Walk In a straight line Up & down an incline Backing up
2. Trot – usually the most informative gait
In a straight line In a circle (both directions) Flexion tests
Equine Lameness Exam
Palpation – feeling for any heat, swelling, or pain
The wear pattern of the hoof or shoe is evaluated
Hoof test for pain Nerve blocks may be used to
localize the area of pain
Equine Lameness Exam Misc. tests include
- X-rays- Ultrasound- Thermography- Nuclear scintigraphy- MRI- CT- Arthrocentesis- Rectal exam- Biopsy- Force plate gait analysis- High speed cinematographic gait analysis
Hoof Testers
Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness
Heredity – Very few are directly inherited, but confirmation types that often lead to lameness are inherited (small feet, straight pasterns, cow-hocked)
Congenital – Bone, tendon, joint, & ligament development may be impaired while in utero
Equine Lameness
Predisposing factors to lameness cont’d: Negligent or improper foot care
infrequent trimming unbalanced trimming poor fitting shoes shoeing aids
Equine Lameness Predisposing factors to lameness
cont’d: Improper training methods or over training
over use of a lunge line lunging in small circles one direction lunging poor footing in training area training too early, training too rapidly
Lunging
Equine Lameness
Predisposing factors to lameness Nutrition of the growing horse – feeding
high levels of protein, improper mineral content, overweight
Wounds Overuse – racing, jumping, barrel
racing, roping
Equine Lameness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH4YySG1D_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4B8yNJUn-U
Equine Lameness The Laminae is a structure between the hoof
wall and coffin bone (P3) composed of a network of interlocking blood vessels and tissue (epidermis) that serve to connect the hoof to the foot and to provide blood supply
Laminitis/Founder Equine laminitis is a
vascular disease Associated with areas of
ischemia or hemostasis within the laminae
The laminae secure the coffin bone/distal phalanx to the hoof wall
Laminitis/Founder Inflammation associated with
delamination interferes with the wall/bone bond
In advanced laminitis, the coffin bone becomes detached from the horny wall and may rotate or sink. In lay terms, this is known as “founder”
Laminitis
Laminitis Three phases of laminitis in horses are
identifiable: Developmental Acute Chronic
Laminitis
Laminitis Since pre-existing illness leads to laminitis, the
symptoms of early laminitis are also the symptoms of the precipitating illness.
Digital pulses and distal limb temperatures may be increased or decreased but no lameness is evident
Occasionally, no development phase can be recognized; the horse is simply found to be in the acute phase with no apparent ill health preceding or accompanying it
Laminitis - Treatment Treatments for laminitis vary according to the
severity of the condition but include: Encouraging the horse to lie down to relieve pressure
on the hoof/hooves. Imposing dietary restrictions to prevent overeating and
obesity. There is a strong link between excess blood Glucose and
laminitis Administering fluids if the horse is ill or dehydrated. Administration of painkillers, since moderate to intense
pain often accompanies laminitis and founder