Lameness

Lameness is our most common visit

Lameness is our most common visit to horses and most lamenesses are found in the foot! Abscesses of the sole are very common are are mostly a complication of a puncture wound, which has become septic. These are pared away to allow drainage and subsequent healing, along with antibiotics.

Most lamenesses are diagnosed and cured after the first visit, but it may be necessary to apply nerve blocks or take Xrays to come to a diagnosis. We may ask you to bring your horse to our new Kings Cross Road surgery for further investigation. Navicular disease is is an example of this. Here, the Navicular bone becomes rarified - it is thought, due to changes in its blood circulation, causing poorly calcified areas in the bone due to deprived blood supply/oxygen and it becomes weak and painful.

This condition often causes stumbling, with the horse sometimes tripping and falling to its knees - usually on hard ground, where the concussion effect is greatest. Once diagnosed long treatment can produce good recovery from this chronic condition, but some horses are limited in what work they can do. The earlier a condition is seen, the better the chance of resolution.

Acute lameness may involve ultrasound scanning to assess the severity of, for example, a tendon sprain or tear. Ultrasound scanning is also used for early pregnancy diagnosis and to assess ovarian function

Do not hesitate to phone PARKSIDE EQUINE - 01382 811111 (direct line, during working hours) or main number 810777.