An Overview
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very complex disease that affects a large proportion of the horse population. Because of this, joint support for horses is extremely important regardless of age, and type of activity you and your horse partake in. Young athletic horses can sometimes suffer from a condition called osteocondritis dissecans (OCD), a condition which can lead to OA at a relatively young age. Older horses more often develop OA as a result of ‘wear and tear’, producing inflammation of joints and subsequent OA.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms
There are two main clinical signs associated with OA: pain, exhibited as lameness, and effusion (swelling) of the joint. The two signs do not always occur together initially, but as the condition progresses both often become apparent. Lameness may be subtle initially, and may present as the horse being reluctant to perform certain activities movements, such as refusing jumps, through to overt lameness present at the trot or even at walk. Effusion of the joint results from the accumulation of synovial fluid within the joint, due to increased production and decreased removal.
Based upon the severity of the clinical signs, combined with severity of changes on x-rays (radiographs), the most appropriate treatment regime can be developed. Treatment will not reverse the changes to the underlying bone in severe cases, but it is aimed at reducing the rate of progression of the disease, rendering the joint pain-free, and prolonging the athletic career of the horse.
The response to treatment can be a very individual horse-thing, so it can take some time to find what treatments and management work best for each individual horse. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as phyenylbutazone (bute) are often indicated when a horse has sustained an injury to a joint, or for short term relief from OA symptoms, but should not be used for long term use due to the systemic side-effects these drugs can sometimes have on the horse (Increase risk of stomach ulcers, colitis, and decreased renal function). Joint supplements therefore are a safe alternative to pharmaceutical products, and can be used for prevention as well as treatment, and can be used safely for long term use.
What products are available at Southwest Equine?
There are a plethora of products available as equine joint supplements. At Southwest Equine we aim to provide clients with the most scientifically proven products currently available, some of which are listed below.
4CYTE Equine is one of our most popular products, and is a one-of-a-kind scientifically proven joint supplementation for the horse targeting all key areas of joint function.
Epitalis is a patented plant extract (Biota orientalis) with unique properties that helps stimulate the cartilage cells (a normal physiological function when joints are healthy) in joints thus helping to maintain ongoing joint function at all stages of life.
4CYTE Equine can be extremely effective in:
- Pre and post-operative situations
- Athletic and performance horses
- Horses with pre-existing conditions
- Older horses
It conveniently comes in a pelleted form, or as a gel, so administering to your horse is usually as easy as adding to their feed on a daily basis.
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) is one of our injectable (intramuscular) products and is recommended to be given once weekly for 4 weeks, then once monthly ongoing. It is a semi-synthetic polysaccharide polymer which aims to directly stimulate joint repair. It is reported to improves cartilage quality, improve joint fluid quality, inhibits destructive enzymes, and provides anti-Inflammatory activity.
Matrix 6000 is a product containing Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is a natural and essential component of articular cartilage and synovial fluid. It is produced by both synoviocytes within the synovial membrance as well as by chondrocytes within the articular cartilage matrix. This product is given via IV administration, and is recommended to be given a week prior to periods of high joint stress (i.e event/race etc.).
If you would like to organise an joint management plan for your horse, or find out more about any of the products here at Southwest Equine, give us a call to speak to one of the veterinary team!