June2012_From Dayboro Vet
DEGENERATIVE JOINT (ARTHRITIS) IN HORSES
You may be familiar with human and canine arthritis but our equine friends suffer from this too. Equine arthritis is defined as degenerative changes to the cartilage and bone within a joint resulting from age, wear and tear, joint instability or underlying disease process.
You may be familiar with human and canine arthritis but our equine friends suffer from this too. Equine arthritis is defined as degenerative changes to the cartilage and bone within a joint resulting from age, wear and tear, joint instability or underlying disease process.
Signs may include:
– lameness, either at work or just in the paddock
– stiffness that may resolve when the horse warms up
– stiffness that is worse in cold weather and after periods of inactivity eg. first thing in the morning
– shuffling gait
– swelling in the joints
– a general slowing down
Should any of these signs be evident, contact your Veterinarian. Treatment for arthritis can be tailored to your horses individual needs, whether they be a performance horse or a retired paddock pony. There are many options to make your horse more comfortable.
In order to assess the level of degeneration and to diagnose or rule out any other problems your Veterinarian may recommend radiographs.
Treatments for arthritis may include:
– Pentosan polysulphate injections to help cartilage regenerate
– Low dose oral anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and therefore pain.
– Intra-articular (joint injections) of medications to reduce inflammation and improve the quality of joint fluid
– Oral administration of Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphate to help repair cartilage
Early treatment is beneficial for performance horses that are identified as having minor wear and tear as it may stop further degeneration.
Other things you can do, particularly for senior equines is to:
Rug and or stable them in winter
Ensure they are within a healthy weight range
Provide good nutrition
If appropriate small amounts of light exercise (tailored to the degree of degeneration)
Remember to look after your senior equine, they’ve probably worked hard for you over the years, now it’s time to make their retirement as comfortable as you can.
– lameness, either at work or just in the paddock
– stiffness that may resolve when the horse warms up
– stiffness that is worse in cold weather and after periods of inactivity eg. first thing in the morning
– shuffling gait
– swelling in the joints
– a general slowing down
Should any of these signs be evident, contact your Veterinarian. Treatment for arthritis can be tailored to your horses individual needs, whether they be a performance horse or a retired paddock pony. There are many options to make your horse more comfortable.
In order to assess the level of degeneration and to diagnose or rule out any other problems your Veterinarian may recommend radiographs.
Treatments for arthritis may include:
– Pentosan polysulphate injections to help cartilage regenerate
– Low dose oral anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and therefore pain.
– Intra-articular (joint injections) of medications to reduce inflammation and improve the quality of joint fluid
– Oral administration of Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphate to help repair cartilage
Early treatment is beneficial for performance horses that are identified as having minor wear and tear as it may stop further degeneration.
Other things you can do, particularly for senior equines is to:
Rug and or stable them in winter
Ensure they are within a healthy weight range
Provide good nutrition
If appropriate small amounts of light exercise (tailored to the degree of degeneration)
Remember to look after your senior equine, they’ve probably worked hard for you over the years, now it’s time to make their retirement as comfortable as you can.
