Treatments for osteoarthritis in horses, including the doxycycline antibiotic and the nutraceutical Myristol, were discussed at the 2007 AAEP Convention. Also discussed were the clinical efficacy and joint health parameters of Surpass (topical liposomal diclofenac cream) compared to those of the commonly used oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication phenylbutazone (Bute).
Osteoarthritis has a major impact on pain and athleticism of horses, and many medications are used to combat it. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., an in vitro study comparing
Osteoarthritis is the most common human joint disorder in the world, and in the equine industry it’s the most economically important disease. It’s the primary cause of decreased athletic function and wastage in racehorses.
Does Surpass really work to improve joint health, or is it just another way of delivering a painkiller? CSU researchers set out to answer that question.
Canadian researchers recently compared the pharmacologic properties of two different forms of glucosamine–hydrochloride and sulphate. They measured significantly higher levels of glucosamine in synovial fluid samples from horses receiving the oral
For the study, 39 horses in Missouri and Florida (on a broodmare farm, a Thoroughbred retirement center, and in two university equestrian programs) were selected for naturally occurring osteoarthritis that caused Grade 2-4 lameness on a scale of 0-4.
Italian researchers have devised a novel technique for evaluating osteoarthritis in performance horses via measurement of metabolic products in synovial fluid. They do this by using a specialized imaging technique for liquids known as proto
Danish researchers have been investigating a novel technique for evaluating joint disease. This involves the serial evaluation of cartilage-derived retinoic acid protein (CD-RAP) levels in individual horses as a measure of cartilage synthesis
Two veterinarians compiled the latest on equine orthopedic topics and presented it to their colleagues at the 46th British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, held in Edinburgh, Scotland
In nonsurgical joints that are at least partially responsive to HA and steroids, IRAP treatment elicits less lameness and less synovitis up to 40 days following treatment.
McIlwraith discussed intervention that targets management of capsulitis (joint capsule inflammation) and synovitis (inflammation of the synovial membrane lining the joint), since these tend to occur in advance of degenerative joint disease.
Synovial fluid analysis, including evaluation of white blood cell counts and matrix metalloproteinases -2 and -9 (which degrade articular cartilage), can be employed to monitor effect of treatment and predict survival in horses with septic
Avocado and soybean unsaponifiable (ASU) extracts–the fraction of oil that does not form soap after hydrolysis–are some of the newest joint products to grace the equine nutritional supplement shelves. The beneficial effects of ASU for horses
More than half of all equine lameness is due to noninfectious joint disease and injury. It can happen from one bad step, but it’s most likely due to cyclic (repeated) trauma.
Since most horses are used for recreational or performance activities, soundness is understandably of vital importance to horse owners. A 2003 study suggested that 60% of lameness problems in horses are related to osteoarthritis, thus stressing the
A panel of three veterinarians addressed the topic of stifle treatment at the Western Performance Horse Forum.
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