What is the best treatment for arthritis in horses?

Adequan® is the only FDA-approved, disease-modifying drug for the treatment of degenerative joint disease. It contains polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), which travels into injured joints and stimulates new cartilage production, while also relieving signs of arthritis. Adequan is available in both IM and IA form.

Can a horse recover from arthritis?

If acute arthritis is diagnosed and successfully treated early, a complete cure may occur, leaving no residual abnormality. If the inflammation does not respond to treatment and/or is complicated by infection or cartilage or joint injury, new bone may form and the joint may be permanently affected by chronic arthritis.

What are signs of horse arthritis?

The most common symptoms of arthritis are swollen joints, stiffness, uneven gait, shortened stride and lameness. Your horse may be unable or unwilling to keep up with your demands. Jumpers may no longer want to stop or turn.

How long does it take for a pastern joint to fuse?

“If we can get the pastern to fuse, we can hopefully get these horses back to comfort and athletic use. It is a long process and we generally give them six months to a year off from work for optimum chance for healing.

Should you ride a horse with arthritis?

Many horses who are diagnosed with the early stages of arthritis can continue to safely carry riders on level trails and perform other low-impact activities, including some jumping. Those with advanced OA may not be able to handle any more than turnout with a quiet companion.

Does bute help arthritis in horses?

Joint medication lasts a varying length of time depending on the horse, the severity of joint disease, and drugs used. Phenylbutazone, or ‘bute’ in layman’s terms, sold as Equipalazone, is the choice of most horse owners for reducing stiffness and pain associated with arthritic changes.

How do vets check for arthritis in horses?

How is arthritis diagnosed? Your vet will watch your horse move on a hard and a soft surface, as well as doing some flexion tests to locate the problem initially. Flexion tests put extra stress through certain joints, and so will make pain in a joint more obvious to the clinician.

Does Bute help arthritis in horses?

Where is the pastern joint on a horse?

The pastern is a part of the leg of a horse between the fetlock and the top of the hoof. It incorporates the long pastern bone (proximal phalanx) and the short pastern bone (middle phalanx), which are held together by two sets of paired ligaments to form the pastern joint (proximal interphalangeal joint).

What does Osphos do for horses?

OSPHOS is a newer drug to help reduce lameness associated with Navicular Syndrome. We have seen promising results in horses battling this debilitating disease.

Do shoes help horses with arthritis?

On the other hand, an elderly horse that develops arthritis may find relief with shoes that can help support its joints properly. When deciding if a senior horse should wear shoes, it is important to also consider the problems that shoes may cause, such as: Impeding circulation and decreasing sensitivity.