Q. Are joint injections meant to be used on a routine basis to prevent lameness, or as a therapeutic remedy for an existing problem? In either case, how often is too often?

—Mary, via e-mail

A. Joint injections are best utilized to treat existing joint problems. Typically, if I am injecting steroid and hyaluronic acid (also known as HA), I don’t inject any more frequently than every three to four months (this frequency varies a little with each veterinarian). Other products, such as IRAP, are often administered more frequently either weekly or monthly.