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  Discussion on Digital pulse
Author Message
Member:
Miamoo

Posted on Friday, Jan 20, 2006 - 9:30 am:

Hi Dr. O and anyone else who has more knowledge than I on this subject.

Dr. O, I asked you a while ago for information regarding Digital pulses in my Navicular SynDrOme Mare. What you said is that they are not a reliable way to tell anything because they vary on so many different factors.

What is still bothering me is that my mare consistently has a stronger pulse than any of the other horses in my barn. They only time I have trouble finding it is in the morning on very cold days before she goes out. On days that it is not frigid I can feel a steady pulse even before she moves around in the morning. I usually can't find a pulse at all on any of the other horses.

I feel her pulse on all four legs - front and back equally. Her digital arteries are quite full and easy to find on a regular basis.

Question #1
Can what is normal and o.k. for pulses vary from horse to horse or is the fact that her arteries are chronically enlarged on all 4 feet evidence of chronic inflamation?

Question #2
Is the digital pulse in the back legs usually similar to what is found on the front legs in a "normal" horse or is there usually a difference?

She is currently not in work for the winter. I am just trying to figure out if I should be addressing the inflamation (If that is in fact what I am seeing) or if this could be just normal for her.

I appreciate your continued good advice!

Ella :-)
Member:
Scooter

Posted on Friday, Jan 20, 2006 - 2:27 pm:

hi ella, I monitor my horses digital pulses daily because of laminitis. I have noticed they do vary somewhat hour to hour and usually I can't feel them in my (non foundered horses). If there is a constant bounding pulse I get concerned. Usually a couple doses of bute gets rid of them on a flare up. I didn't realize navicular horses get bounding pulses also, learn something new everyday. I guess it would be a source of inflammation. Maybe you should try some Bute and see if there is any difference. (if she tolerates bute) Thats been my experiences anyway. I know when my horse that has foundered is better his pulse is not palpable. Hope that helps some.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jan 20, 2006 - 9:01 pm:

#1 What is normal varies from horse to horse. If there are no clinical signs you should not fret about a easily felt pulse.

#2 Usually the pulse in the rear legs feels less strong to me than the front but the difference not great and I have to admit I don't often find myself checking the pulse in the rear legs.

Hello Diane, you are correct navicular synDrOme does not have a bounding pulse.
DrO
Member:
Scooter

Posted on Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 - 7:41 am:

Dr.O. If Ella gave her mare some bute over a few days and the pulse subsided would that indicate inflammation was the cause?
Member:
Miamoo

Posted on Saturday, Jan 21, 2006 - 6:34 pm:

Thank you very much Dr. O. When I first started having problems with her feet the vet said that she had accelerated pulses and so I have be a bit paranoid about them since. Of course she is one who has the more easily felt ones in order to add to my paranoia.

Alas, my horses main goal in life is to drive me nuts. I'm pleases to announce it is working. lol

Would Diane's idea of trying bute for a few days be a good plan or is it never a good idea to give unless sure it is needed?

Ella :-)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 3:59 pm:

Give bute for what guys? Bute is not meant to treat a pronounced pulse. The pulse elevates and declines in response to a number of different factors. If your horse is lame bute is a very reasonable treatment.
DrO
Member:
Scooter

Posted on Sunday, Jan 22, 2006 - 9:41 pm:

Dr.O. I just wondered if she gave bute and the pulse subsided would that indicate it was caused by inflamation?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 2, 2006 - 11:41 am:

Opps, I wrote a reply here but apparently didn't push the post button. To answer Diane's last question again, no just because the pulse subsided does not mean the bute caused the change. The amount of pulse felt is determined by many factors so this alone would not be proof. If you started and stopped it a number of times and a definite pattern formed I would say it supports the idea but even so perhaps the bute is effecting non-inflammatory mechanisms as NSAID's with their anti-prostaglandin action can have wide spread effects in such system.
DrO
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