Pet Doc Online

10/26/2021

Safety and therapeutic efficacy of undenatured type-ii collagen (UC-II) in comparison to glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic horses.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, which causes severe inflammation and loss of cartilage. It is a debilitating disease that commonly affects thousands of horses each year. Recently, we assessed the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory potential of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) in horses. This comparative investigation evaluated arthritic pain in horses receiving daily placebo, UC-II 320 mg/day (providing 80 mg active UC-II), 480 mg/day (providing 120 mg active UC-II), or 640 mg/day (providing 160 mg active UC-II), and glucosamine and chondroitin (5.4 g/day and 1.8 g/day, respectively, bid for the first month, and thereafter once daily) for 150 days. Pain in each leg was evaluated using the flexion test and the lameness-grading system after the initial two strides. Average pain of all four legs represented the pain for each horse. Horses receiving placebo showed no change in arthritic condition, while those receiving 320, 480, or 640 mg UC-II exhibited significant reduction in arthritic pain (P < 0.05). UC-II at 480 mg dose provided optimal effects. With this dose, reduction in overall pain was from 5.7 ± 0.0.42 (100%) to 0.7 ± 0.42 (12%); and in pain upon limb manipulation from 2.35 ± 0.37 (100%) to 0.52 ± 0.18 (22%). In regards to glucosamine and chondroitin treated group, although reduction in pain was significant compared to pretreated values, the efficacy was significantly less compared with that observed with UC-II. UC-II was found to be twice as effective as glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic horses. Clinically, physical condition, and liver (ALP, GGT, and bilirubin), kidney (BUN and creatinine), and heart (CK) functions remained unchanged, suggesting that these supplements were well tolerated. Overall, these results demonstrate that UC-II was significantly more efficacious than glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic horses.
R. C. Gupta,D. Bagchi,P. Skaggs,A. Stocker,K. Wegford,J. T. Goad,T. D. Canerdy,M. Bagchi,D. Barnett,W. Dewees,
First published: 09 March 2009

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2009.00921_3.x

10/22/2021

What to Know About Equine Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that compromises the joint health and mobility of many animals. While osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder for people in the United States, the condition is also prevalent in horses.

Dr. Jeffrey Watkins, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, provides insight into equine osteoarthritis and how owners might manage this condition in their horses.

“Osteoarthritis refers to deterioration of a joint or joints that is characterized by progressive loss of cartilage,” Watkins said. “The inflammation associated with osteoarthritis causes pain and swelling of the affected joints.”

Cases of equine osteoarthritis can be divided into two groups: primary and secondary.

Primary osteoarthritis arises from the wear and tear of everyday activities, resulting in a slow breakdown of joint cartilage. Performance horses are at particular risk for this form of osteoarthritis.

“Often, the first indication of a problem is a change in the horse’s behavior, willingness to perform, and/or ability to perform at their expected level,” Watkins said. “These are often subtle indications of a developing joint problem and are due to the low-grade pain associated with the insidious onset of osteoarthritis.”

Secondary osteoarthritis comes when an injury to a joint is severe enough to begin the process of cartilage breakdown. Horses with a history of joint infections, fractures involving the joint, ligament and tendon injuries, and preexisting joint defects are at risk for secondary osteoarthritis.

“Osteoarthritis secondary to an injury or infection will be characterized initially by the signs associated with the inciting injury. Once the initial injury has been resolved, osteoarthritis is manifested as continued loss of function due to pain and stiffness of the affected joint,” Watkins said.
October 3, 2019

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that compromises the joint health and mobility of many animals. While osteoarthritis is the most common joint

10/20/2021

Tendon Injuries in Horses
Care & Wellness, Pet Services

Tendons are the strap-like structures that attach muscles to the bones on which they act. Most tendons are short and rarely damaged. However, the long tendons of the limbs are very vulnerable to damage during exercise or as a result of direct trauma. The flexor tendons are most important and it is these that are discussed below.
Where are the tendons situated?

tendon_injuries-1The flexor tendons (deep digital flexor tendon, DDFT, and superficial digital flexor tendon, SDFT) run down the back of the leg from the level of the knee (or hock). The SDFT ends on the pastern, the DDFT ends on the lower surface of the pedal bone. At the back of the knee, in the region of the hock and at the level of the fetlock and upper pastern, the tendons are enveloped by a fluid filled sheath. Several strong, short, annular ligaments help to keep the tendons in place in areas of high movement such as joints.

The tendons themselves are composed of longitudinally arranged bundles of fibers. Blood supply to tendons is poor compared to muscles and other tissues.
What are the different types of tendon injury?

Damage to flexor tendons occurs commonly during exercise. Moderately strenuous exercise can result in tearing of fibers in horses that are not fit. Even in fit horses, over stretching of tendons can occur during fast work, work on unleveled ground or work involving jumping at speed. The degree of damage can range from minor, with little fiber damage to very severe with total tendon rupture occurring.

Most often, a proportion of fibers are damaged resulting in a zone of damaged fibers within the body of the tendon. This might form a discreet "hole" (as seen by ultrasound scan) that extends for a variable length of the tendon.

A knock to a tendon may result in slight bruising or more severe damage possibly even tendon rupture. Sharp trauma such as a cut can also result in anything from minor damage to severing of the tendon. Injuries involving tendon sheaths are very serious as infection in these structures is potentially life-threatening.
What are the first signs of tendon injury?

Damage to a tendon causes inflammation, heat and swelling. Minor fiber damage leads to slight enlargement of the affected part that will feel warmer than the corresponding area on the other limb. Mild strains do not cause lameness. In severe damage, the limb may become very painful and swollen and the horse may be severely lame. If the tendon is ruptured, the horse may walk with the toe tipped up. If a tendon sheath becomes infected, the horse will also be very lame.

By Deidre M. Carson, BVSc, MRCVS & Sidney W. Ricketts, LVO, BSc, BVSc, DESM, DipECEIM, FRCPath, FRCVS.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tendon-injuries-in-horses

10/17/2021

MSM Benefits for Horses

When tissues require sulfur, cells break down proteins to release methionine and cysteine which are further broken down to release their sulfur content. These amino acids are then no longer available to make proteins.

Adding MSM to the diet as a readily available source of sulfur spares methionine and cysteine from being degraded, making them more available for protein synthesis. Supplementing with MSM also has direct therapeutic effects on its own.

Below are the top 9 benefits of MSM in horses:

MSM is involved in making the detoxifying antioxidant glutathione, one of the most important intracellular antioxidants. Having enough glutathione keeps tissues healthy, especially when they are stressed by exercise or disease.
It reduces tissue damage after exercise by preventing oxidative damage, helping muscles recover quickly from exercise. It is also purported to increase circulation which may further support muscle recovery.
MSM decreases exercise-induced inflammation, speeding up post-workout recovery and contributing to improved performance.
It helps with pain relief (analgesic effect) in heavily worked horses and can improve their comfort. [3]
MSM helps improve joint pain in conditions like hock arthritis. It may also have a preventative effect by reducing some of the tissue degeneration that can contribute to arthritis.
This macronutrient can improve your horse’s gait and stride, making walking and riding more comfortable.
Horses supplemented with MSM have a healthier skin and coat because MSM supports keratin formation. Keratin is a protein that acts as a primary structural component of hair, hoofs and skin.
MSM can support a healthy respiratory tract. Horses that have allergies to dust, pollen or molds might breathe easier with MSM and avoid bouts of heaves.
MSM supports the immune system during times of stress or disease. It can improve injury healing and recovery from illness. It also acts as an antioxidant and can promote detoxification of harmful heavy metals.

Signs That Your Horse Might Benefit From MSM

Horses with arthritis or joint pain are likely to benefit from MSM. If you have an older senior horse , look out for the following symptoms of arthritis and consider adding MSM to the diet:

Puffiness around a joint, particularly the hocks
Warmth or pain in a joint
Changes in how the horse moves; might have a shortened stride, walk with a hollow back and raised head
Resistant to performing tasks that were previously easy to do
Your horse needs a longer time to warm up and not be stiff

Other reasons to consider adding MSM to the diet include:

Your horse has respiratory allergies like heaves and poor breathing or coughing
Horses with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) might benefit from 20 g per day MSM
Stressful periods like transport, competition, heavy training
If you would like to avoid using steroids to treat inflammatory issues

According to Equimed, MSM is anecdotally reported to have benefits for horses with Equine Protozoal Myelitis (EPM) and Epiphysitis. It is also purported to have benefits for digestive upsets, but more research is needed to evaluate its efficacy for these uses.

Many horses could benefit from MSM supplements in their diet to provide extra sulfur to support healthy tissues. Consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian to determine whether this supplement is right for your horse. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis and our nutritionists will be happy to review your feeding program.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a naturally occurring form of sulfur that is found in plants and animals. MSM is used to relieve joint pain in aging horses and performance horses. It helps maintain healthy connective tissue, cartilage, bones, and hooves. It also supports a healthy skin and coat in ho

10/15/2021

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10/14/2021

How Sweet🥰

10/14/2021

Learn more about this crippling condition that affects horses of all breeds, disciplines, and ages. www.equisolute.com

10/13/2021

Welcome to our new page Pet Doc Online. Please visit our website at equisolute.com