equine joint supplements - The George Veterinary Group

GEORGE VET GROUP EQUINE CLINIC
& BELMONT HOUSE EQUINE CLINIC
01666 826456
Equine Joint Disease
& Supplements
D E C
2 0 1 2
-
S A R A H
K E I G H T L E Y
M R C V S
www.georgevetgroup.co.uk
PAGE
2
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most
common form of joint disease
seen amongst much of the equine
population, especially in horses
over the age of 15 years. OA is
characterized
by the formation of new
bone and degeneration of
cartilage at the
joint margins.
Most cases of
OA in horses
occur in association with
some predisposing joint
disease or
injury within
the joint. This
produces areas of increased
stress, which eventually result in
cartilage erosion and exposure of
underlying bone.
The exposed bone can cause pain,
which when combined with the
physical restriction of movement
within the joint due to formation
of new bone, easily explains the
stiffness and lameness seen in
horses suffering from the disease.
A synovial joint is essentially the
structure that connects bones
together. The two ends of bones
are protected by cartilage with a
fluid filled joint cavity between
them. The joint is held in place by
ligaments, tendons and muscles
with each part of the joint having
an essential function allowing all
the structures to work together
enabling the joint to function
under normal conditions.
To allow frictionless movement
between the bone edges as the
joint flexes and extends, the
articular cartilage must be
smooth and be able to absorb or
dampen the concussive forces
produced
as the
horse
moves.
Cartilage is
composed
of collagen,
which is
surrounded by
progteoglycans and hyaluronic acid (HA).
These function together, not only
to provide a tough framework,
but also are able to retain a certain amount of water which is
vital to the absorption of concussive forces. Too little proteoglycans or HA will let too much
water in, resulting in the cartilage
becoming weak and spongy and
unable to absorb force. Proteoglycan molecules are made up of
glucosaminoglycans (GAGS)
which include substances such as
glucosamine and chondroitin as
their building blocks.
As the body ages or is subjected
to punishing riding disciplines, it
may not produce sufficient quantities of glucosamine naturally.
Within the joint, the molecules making up the joint
components are constantly
being regenerated. In order
to maintain a healthy joint, the
rate of synthesis must match
the rate of breakdown. In the
case of a diseased joint, the
breakdown will exceed the
synthesis and there is net loss
of joint component. This results in a joint that does not
provide a smooth movement
between the bone ends leading to
This can result in cartilage that
loses its ability to act as a shock
absorber in the joints. The
joints then become stiff and
painful resulting in a limited
range of motion and even deformation.
Joint supplements can be used
to try and delay the onset of
joint diseases and help improve
the mobility of horses suffering
from it. There is rationale that
the glucosamine content of joint
supplements would be beneficial
in such horses.
Chondroitin
sulphate works
in conjunction
with glucosamine to improve
its effect. Chondroitin sulphate
is a major constituent of cartilage. It provides structure,
holding water and nutrients and
allowing other molecules to
move through cartilage. This is
an important property as there
is no blood supply to cartilage.
Green lipped mussel is often
used as a joint supplement.
Glucosamine, GAGS (unbranched chains of complex
sugars) and ETAs (a type of
Omega-3 fatty acids) are the
compounds in the mussel believed to contribute to its beneficial effects. ETAs are the key
ingredients that help in the antiinflammatory activity and thereby the reduction of joint pain.
What is joint disease?
EQUINE
JOINT
DISEASE
inflammation. Once the changes start, it becomes
a vicious cycle and so the process will continue
and often worsen over time. As we lose joint
components there will be loss of the GAG molecules, which include chondroitin and glucosamine.
Thus the idea behind supplements containing these
products is that by providing a high quality source
of the building blocks, it will encourage cartilage
synthesis as well as having other beneficial effects
including anti-inflammatory action.
DEC
2012
-
SARAH
KEIGHTLEY
MRCVS
PAGE
3
There are a variety of situations which can make a joint more likely or become diseased; these may include:
•
Old age
•
Previous damage or trauma to the joint, including surgery
•
Increased joint strain—this could be due to lifestyle or conformation
•
Congenital—certain condition that a horse can be born with can make it more likely to develop joint disease in the affected area e.g.
OCD (Osteochrondrosis).
Just because your horse is affected by one of the above, it does not mean that Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) will inevitably develop.
However, it may make it more likely or mean that the signs will start sooner in life and so, in these animals, joint management often becomes
part of the routine management program.
What signs might I see if my
shorten the stride or willingness to
perform transitions when asked.
horse develops DJD?
•
Due to the fact that osteoarthritis can
affect any joint, there are a whole variety
of signs that may occur. That said, the
limbs are more commonly affected and so
lameness or unsoundness is often seen.
Some of the more subtle signs of joint
disease may include:
An unbalanced feeling during riding - your horse may stumble more than before.
•
seem grumpy - changes in personality and behavior can be due to
joint discomfort.
Your horse may struggle with
work that they previously enjoyed,
such as jumping a certain height, or
refusing at fences.
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Q
&
A
How is joint disease managed?
Each case of osteoarthritis is assessed
individually and managed accordingly.
Below is a list of possible treatment options.
1.
Joint injections with a variety of
anti-inflammatory or disease modifying preparations e.g. steroids.
2.
Cartrophen - is not licenced in
horses but used to treat osteoarthritis as a disease modifying drug.
It is given by intra-muscular injection.
3.
Adequan i/m - a PSGAG used to
relieve pain and reduce inflammation of the synovial membrane. It
is given by intra-muscular injections
4.
Nutritional supplements to support optimum joint health and
function.
5.
A controlled exercise program to
gently mobilise and support the
joint.
6.
Rest.
7.
Surgery to diagnose or treat
various conditions.
8.
Lifestyle changes to minimize
recurrence of signs and impact
on day to day life.
9.
IRAP - biological treatment using your horse’s own blood
cells. It is administered into the
joint.
10.
Anti-inflammatory medication
and pain relief e.g. “Bute”
The George Equine Clinic Practice Profile
Linda Belton BVSc MRCVS
It is certainly true that this is a job
where no two days are the same and
very often the best laid plans are subject to change! Having worked at
The George Equine Clinic for twenty years I know what a great job it is
and I have a real passion to ensure the
team at The George Equine Clinic
deliver equine veterinary care to a
high standard and in an approachable
and professional manner.
I have known many of my clients for a
long time and am now in the position
of watching the next generation out
competing! There is undoubtedly
enormous value in experience for
treating equine patients and this needs
to be supported by up to date
knowledge, techniques and equipment
to provide the best service for both
owners and their horses.
Communication is also key. There
is a huge amount of trust involved
both ways. For optimum outcome, I
need to give you the right advice and
treatment for your particular horse
and situation and you need to follow
it!
Excellent organisation makes a
real difference too. We have a great
admin team who keep the vets moving, respond to emergencies with
excellent telephone advice whilst
getting a vet to you a.s.a.p., sort out
insurance claims paperwork for you
and arrange calls to try and fit in with
your busy schedules too.
Boring but import is also the unseen
behind the scenes stuff, including
correct storage and dispensing of
medicines, maintaining equipment,
keeping clinical records up to date for
future reference and ongoing training
and learning.
To this end, we are inspected and
accredited by the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons so that you can
be confident that our high standards
are maintained consistently even in
the areas you can’t easily judge for
yourself.