Osteoarthritis and your horse
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a painful condition caused by progressive "wear and tear" of cartilage and other parts of the joint. It is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses and can develop in horses young and old. All too often, it leads to poor performance and early retirement.1
Factors that contribute to the onset of OA in horses include:1
- Trauma to the joint
- Conformation
- Immobilization
- Improper shoeing
- Age
When a horse suffers from OA, the cartilage, bone and soft tissues in the joint deteriorate. These changes cause pain, deformity, loss of motion and decreased function. The joints most frequently affected by OA include the carpal, fetlock, pastern and coffin.1
Watch for these signs in your horse:
If you see these signs, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of osteoarthritis.
1 Schlueter AE and Orth MW. Equine osteoarthritis: a brief review of the disease and its causes. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 2004;1(4):221-23
Watch for these signs in your horse:
- Limping or lameness
- Decreased activity or exercise (reluctance to stand, walk, trot or canter, or difficulty performing these activities)
- Stiffness or decreased movement of joints
If you see these signs, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of osteoarthritis.
1 Schlueter AE and Orth MW. Equine osteoarthritis: a brief review of the disease and its causes. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 2004;1(4):221-23
As with any prescription medication, prior to use, a veterinarian should perform a physical examination and review the horse's medical history. A veterinarian should advise horse owners to observe for signs of potential drug toxicity. As a class, nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs may be associated with gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Use with other NSAIDs, corticosteroids or nephrotoxic medication should be avoided. EQUIOXX has not been tested in horses less than 1 year of age or in breeding horses, or pregnant or lactating mares. For additional information please refer to the prescribing information or visit www.equioxx.com.
