Shock Waves Ease Navicular Lameness

A case series of 27 horses with navicular syndrome treated by extracorporeal shock wave therapy was reviewed with comparisons of pre- and post-treatment lameness and radiographic scores. Most horses in the study were Quarter Horses and the median duration of lameness was 12 months. Follow-up was obtained at 6 and 12 months after treatment.

The mean lameness grades for the worst limb inside a circle at the trot were 2.5 and 1.6 pre- and post-treatment, respectively.  Most (81 percent) owners reported the lameness had improved post-treatment and unblinded lameness examinations before and after treatment suggested 70 percent of horses improved. Lameness examinations performed with video tape and no knowledge of treatment status only suggested that 56 percent of horses improved. There were no significant changes in radiographic scores pre- and post-treatment.

The authors concluded shock wave therapy should be considered a viable treatment for navicular syndrome in horses. However, they also suggest further studies including objective data such as gait analysis are needed.

—McClure S et al. AAEP 2004; 50: 316-319.

Inflammatory Enzyme Activity in Laminitis

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the activity of the inflammatory enzymes cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 during the early phases of laminitis. Specimens of laminae were collected from anesthetized horses about 3 hours after laminitis was induced using black walnut extract. Similar samples were collected from normal control horses, and the level of COX-1 and -2 activity (expression of mRNA) was compared between both groups.

Because the samples…