Lameness of the Horse Part 16

Often both fore feet are affected and this would point toward its being a disease wherein either conformation or congenital tendencies exists.

It is rare that hind feet are involved.

There are many theories regarding the possible exciting causes of navicular disease and, when one has carefully considered the explanations as offered by Peters, Moller, Branell, Schrader and others, he may conclude that navicular disease is a non-infectuous inflammatory affection of the third sesamoid (navicular) bone, deep flexor tendon (perforans) and adjoining structures. Whether it originates in the flexor tendon or whether the bone is the original part affected, the disease is frequently met, and of all possible causes, jars and irritation incident to concussion of travel, are probably the princ.i.p.al causative agents.

Symptomatology.--Lameness is the primary indicator and a constant symptom which attends navicular disease wherever much structural change affects the infirm parts. As the degree of intensity or extent varies, so is there a dissimilarity in the character of the impediment.

Incipient cases of bilateral involvement are more difficult to diagnose than are unilateral affections, particularly when lameness is not marked. There is manifested a supporting-leg-lameness which varies as to degree in the same subject at different times. This may be noticed during the same trip in an animal that is being driven. There is a tendency for the subject to stumble and, of course, where the affection is bilateral, there is a stilted gait owing to shortened strides.

At rest the lame animal usually points with the affected member. Because of the fact that the distance is lessened between the origin and insertion of the deep flexor tendon (perforans) by this att.i.tude, one may readily understand the reason for the position a.s.sumed by the subject. Pressure on the navicular bone is diminished and tension on the flexor tendon is relieved by even slight volar flexion.

In acute inflammatory affections abnormal heat may be detected in the region of the heel. By exerting tension on the flexor tendon, by means of pa.s.sive dorsal flexion of the member, evidence of hyperesthesia may be detected. With the hoof testers one may determine supersensitivenss in most instances. There occurs more or less contraction of the hoof in navicular disease, but this is not to be taken as a cause of the affection, but rather a sequence.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 32--"Pointing"--the position a.s.sumed by horse having unilateral navicular disease.]

In some cases of unilateral navicular disease there is a marked contrast in size between the sound and unsound foot. However, one must not be misguided in this particular, for in some pairs of sound feet there exists considerable difference in size. Finally, by a change from the normal position of the foot to one in which the heel is somewhat elevated (as may be obtained by shoeing with high heel calks), relief is evident, and in the opposite position, the condition is aggravated.

This experiment may be used for diagnostic purposes.

Treatment.--When the anatomy of the diseased parts is taken into consideration, and an a.n.a.lysis of the lesions which occur in cases where considerable structural change is occasioned by this affection, it is obvious that recovery is impossible. Only in cases where the inflammation is promptly checked before damage has been done the navicular bone or the flexor tendon, is permanent recovery possible. The disease is not frequently treated during this stage, however, and in the majority of instances the condition becomes chronic.

As soon as a diagnosis is made the shoes must be removed, the toe shortened with the hoof pincers and rasp and the subject is put in a well bedded box-stall. If the animal is very lame and the inflammation is acute, ice-cold packs should be applied to the feet. As soon as acute inflammation has subsided the foot may be so pared that all excess of sole and frog is removed without lowering the heels, and the animal may be blistered about the coronet region. The subject may be shod later, with heel calks that raise the heel moderately and a protracted period of rest should be enforced.

In cases where no acute inflammatory condition exists, neurectomy is beneficial. One must discriminate, however, between favorable and unfavorable subjects. This is not a last resort expedient to be employed in cases where extensive lesions of the navicular structures exists.

With proper shoeing, and by putting the subject at suitable work, where concussion of fast travel on hard roads is not necessary, the best results are obtainable.

Laminitis.

This disease is primarily a non-infective inflammation of the sensitive laminae which very frequently affects the front feet. Often all four feet are affected, less frequently one foot (when its fellow is unable to sustain weight) and rarely the hind feet alone.

Occurrence.--Probably a greater number of cases of laminitis occur in localities where horses that are worked on heavy transfer wagons are, when in a state of perspiration, allowed to stand exposed to sudden lowering of temperature and to stand in a cool or cold shower of rain such as occurs near the coast of the Great Lakes or the ocean in some parts of this country.

This disease occurs in connection with digestive disorders of various kinds and, because of the frequent a.s.sociation of the two conditions, the common term "founder" has long been employed to designate laminitis.

In cases of "over-loading," particularly when a large quant.i.ty of wheat has been eaten by animals that are unaccustomed to this diet, laminitis almost constantly results.

Large draughts of cold water, when drunk by animals that are overheated is often followed by laminitis. Concussion, such as attends hard driving, especially in unshod horses or on rough and hard roads, is often succeeded by this affection. Likewise, as has been stated, injury such as is occasioned by long continued standing on the same foot is followed by laminitis. Some horses that are frequently shod, suffer from this affection a few hours after shoes have been reset. Dr. Chas. R.

Treadway of Kansas City reports the rather frequent occurrence of such conditions in horses that are in the fire department service in his city.

Age in no way influences the occurrence of laminitis and the general condition of an animal with regard to its vigor or state of flesh has no apparent influence toward predisposing horses to this ailment.

Etiology and Cla.s.sification.--As it is with some other diseases, one may unprofitably theorize on cause and readily enumerate many conditions which are apparently contributory toward producing the affection. Causes may well be grouped, however, and a more definite understanding of laminitis is possible as a result. Such collocation would include conditions which directly or indirectly affect the digestion, such as puerperal laminitis, drinking of large quant.i.ties of cold water and exposure to cold and rain when the body is warm. All of these various conditions might be said to affect the vaso-constrictor nerves in such manner that the natural tendency (because of the peculiar structure of the sensitive laminae and their mode of attachment to the non-sensitive wall) which solipeds have for this affection is indirectly due to this one cause--vaso-constriction. According to Dr. D.M. Campbell, the effect of toxic materials, which may be absorbed from the digestive tract or the uterus in parturient females, upon the vaso-constrictor nerves, is such that a pa.s.sive congestion of the sensitive laminae occurs and laminitis is the result. He believes that even the chilling of the surface of the body when very warm, by a cold rain, const.i.tutes a condition wherein the effect upon the vaso-constrictors is the same.

This grouping does not include the effect of direct injuries of any and all kinds to which the feet are subjected such as: Concussion in fast road work, injuries occasioned by tight or ill fitting shoes, contusions of any kind resulting in non-infectious inflammation of the sensitive laminae, as well as the causes which produce laminitis where weight is borne by one foot when its fellow is out of function.

A cla.s.sification which is practical is that of _acute_ and _chronic_ laminitis. To the practicing veterinarian it is this manner of consideration that is essential in the handling of these cases.

Symptomatology.--In the acute attack the condition is so well described by Dr. R.C. Moore[30] that we quote him in part as follows:

The acute form is generally ushered in very suddenly. Often a horse that is perfectly free from symptoms of the disease is found a few hours later so stiff and sore that he will scarcely move. They stand like they were riveted to the ground. If forced to move the evidence of pain subsides to some extent after they have gone a short distance, to return more severe than ever after they have been allowed to stand for a short time. If the disease is confined to the two front feet, the hind feet are placed well under the center of the body to support the weight and the front ones are advanced in front of a perpendicular line so as to lessen the weight they must bear. If they are made to move, the same position of the feet is maintained. If made to turn in a small circle, they do so by using the hind feet as a pivot, bringing the front parts around by placing as little weight on them as possible.

Placing the hind feet so far under the body, arches the back and often leads to errors in diagnosis, the condition sometimes being taken for diseases of the loins or kidneys.

If all four feet are involved, the animal stands in the usual position a.s.sumed in health, but if urged to move, the least effort to do so usually brings on chronic spasms of the entire body. In very severe cases, a slight touch of the hand will develop the spasms. At times they are so severe, and have such short intermissions, that the disease has been mistaken for teta.n.u.s.

However, the clonic nature of the spasm should prevent such an error. If they are lying down, it is difficult to get them to arise, and if they do so, they show marked symptoms of pain for some time after rising.

If the disease is confined to the hind feet, they are placed well forward to relieve the strain on the toe caused by the downward pull of the perforans (deep flexor) tendon, but in place of the front feet being kept in front of a perpendicular line, as they are when the disease is confined to the front ones, they are placed far back under the body, so they will carry the maximum share of the body weight of which they are capable. The position of the feet is of great importance and offers symptoms that should not be overlooked.

When the subject is caused to walk, symptoms of excruciating pain are manifested in all acute cases of laminitis. In some cases where all four feet are affected, no reasonable amount of persuasion will cause the suffering animal to move from its tracks.

There is acceleration of the rate of heart action; the pulse is full and in some cases, bounding. As the affection progresses the pulse becomes rather weak and irregular. The character of the pulse in the region of the extremity is a reliable indicator; but one has to learn to make necessary discrimination because of the condition of the parts, as in some cases of lymphangitis or where the skin is abnormally thick. The characteristic throbbing pulse is, however, easily recognized in most cases. Temperature is variable, though usually elevated from one to four degrees above normal. This symptom varies with the type and stage of the affection. In a subject that has been down, unable to rise for several days, where there is a suppurative and sloughing condition of the laminae, the temperature is high. Whereas, in some other and less destructive cases there may be little thermic disturbance after the first few hours have lapsed.

A constant symptom in bilateral affections of acute laminitis is the difficulty with which the subject supports weight with one foot. It is this which causes the victim to stand as if "rooted to the ground" when all four feet are involved. If one attempts to take up one foot, thus causing the subject to stand on the other, there is much resistance and in many cases the animal refuses to give the foot.

When we consider that the sensitive parts of the foot are encased by a h.o.r.n.y, unyielding box and that, when the laminae are congested, a great pressure is brought to bear upon the sensitive structures, it is easy to understand why the condition is so painful.

_Chronic laminitis_ is a sequel of acute inflammation of the sensitive laminae. It varies as to intensity and the exact manner of its manifestation depends upon preexisting disturbances.

In some mild cases of laminitis there are recurrent attacks wherein no particular structural change exists, and diagnosis is established chiefly by noting the character of the pulse at the bifurcation of the large metacarpal (or metatarsal) artery just above the fetlock. The same manifestation of pain is present when weight is supported by one foot, though in a lesser degree. There is less local heat to be detected by palpation than in the acute cases.

Chronic laminitis as it occurs following acute attacks which have resulted in structural changes of the foot, present the same symptoms just described and, in addition, the peculiar alterations in structure exist. When, owing to acute inflammation of the sensitive laminae, there has resulted necrosis of this sensitive tissue together with infiltration between the anterior surface of the distal phalanx (os pedis) and the contacting hoof, the lower portion of the distal phalanx is turned downward and backward (rotated upon its transverse axis).

Because of the traction which is exerted by the deep flexor tendon (perforans), as it attaches to the solar surface of the distal phalanx, this rotation is facilitated. With hyperplasia of lamina, at the anterior portion of the distal phalanx, there results a thick "white line." Rotation of the distal phalanx necessitates a descent of its apical portion and there occurs a "dropped sole."

In time, partly because of excessive wear of hoof at the heel, owing to an altered condition in the normal antagonistic relation between the flexor and extensor tendons, the toe makes an excessive growth, and the concavity of the anterior line is accentuated owing to this abnormal length of hoof. The hoof, because of recurrent inflammatory attacks, is corrugated--elevations of horn in parallel rings are usually present.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 33--The hoof in chronic laminitis. Note the concavity. This animal was serviceable for any work that could be performed at a walk.]

Animals that are so affected in traveling strike the heel first and the toe is later contacted with the ground surface. Rotation of the distal phalanx upon its transverse axis produces a condition, with respect to this peculiar impediment, that is equivalent to added and excessive length of the deep flexor tendon.

Where there occurs suppuration, by careful inspection of the coronary region, one may early recognize detachment of hoof. In such cases animals remain rec.u.mbent and, while the condition is not so painful at this stage, the pract.i.tioner must not overlook the real state of affairs. History, if obtainable, will be a helpful guide in such cases.

Separation of hoof occurs as a rule in from four to ten days after the initial attack of acute laminitis. Needless to say these cases are hopeless, when the economic phase of handling subjects is considered.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 34--Showing the effects of laminitis. By permission, from Merillat's "Veterinary Surgical Operations."]

Treatment.--Much depends upon the concomitant disturbances (or causes if one is justified in referring to them as such) as to the manner in which laminitis is to be treated. In all cases where digestive disturbances exist, the prompt unloading of the contents of the alimentary ca.n.a.l is certainly indicated. D.M. Campbell[31] in a discussion of laminitis has the following to say regarding the treatment of such cases:

Because superpurgation may be followed by laminitis, the advisability of using the active hypodermic cathartics is questioned. Neither arecolin nor eserin can cause superpurgation.

The action of the former does not continue longer than an hour after administration and of the latter not more than eight hours.

The action of either is mild after the first few minutes.

I do not think that anyone has recommended either arecolin or eserin where there is severe purgation. Where the intestinal ca.n.a.l is fairly well emptied and its contents fluid, I should be inclined to rely upon intestinal antiseptics to hold in check harmful bacterial growth.

The use of alum in the treatment of laminitis is held to be without reason other than the empirical one that it is beneficial. If laminitis is due chiefly to an autointoxication, good and sufficient reason for the administration of alum can be shown based upon its known physiological action. It is the most powerful intestinal astringent that I know of and has the fewest disadvantages. I have not noted constipation following its use nor diarrhea, nor a stopping of peristalsis, nor indigestion, and in any case its action lasts at most only a few hours, and if it did all these, it could not much matter. Quitman says, that it constricts the capillaries. If this is true, a thing of which I am not certain, is it not reasonable to suppose that as with other vaso-constrictors, e.g., digitalis, there is a selective action on the part of the capillaries (not of the drug) and those that need it most, i.e., those of the affected feet in laminitis, are constricted most? All body cells exert this selective action in the a.s.similation of food, the tissue needing most any particular kind of food circulating in the blood, gets it.

Our first consideration in laminitis should be to remove the cause--to stop the absorption of the toxin in the intestinal tract that is producing the condition. This we accomplish by partially unloading it by the use of the active hypodermic cathartics and stopping absorption by the surest and most harmless of intestinal astringents. Whether the astonis.h.i.+ngly prompt and certain action of alum in this case is due wholly to its astringent action or whether alum combines with the harmful bacterial products chemically and forms an innocuous combination, I can only surmise, and it is unimportant. At any rate, when alum is administered, the onslaught of the disease is promptly stopped. Irreparable damage may already have been done if the case is a neglected one, but whether administered early or late in acute attacks, the progress of the disease is stopped immediately.

The same authority may be profitably quoted in the matter of handling all cases wherein the revulsive effect of agents which diminish vascular tension are chiefly indicated or necessary as adjuvants. In this connection, Campbell says:

The early and vigorous administration of aconitin in laminitis to its full physiological effect, is more logical. a.s.suming that laminitis is due to absorption of harmful products from the intestinal tract permitted through the deranged functioning of the organs of digestion, or a.s.suming that it is due to an extension of the inflammation from the mucosa to the sensitive lamina, or that it is a reflex from a sudden chilling of the skin, we have in any of these conditions a disturbed circulation, and aconitin is the first and foremost of circulation "equalizers." Furthermore, in laminitis there is an elevation of the temperature, an almost invariable indication for aconitin. A speedy return of the temperature to normal, a very marked diminution of the pain and improved conditions generally, appear coincident with the symptoms of full physiological effect of aconitin when given in cases of laminitis, which const.i.tutes a.s.suredly an important part of its treatment.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 35--Inferior (convex) surface of Cochran shoe.]