Equine Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis – WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?
Like humans and all other species, horses can suffer from osteoarthritis (commonly known as arthritis). And, as with humans, it doesn’t just impact the very elderly. Horses of all ages can also suffer from this incredibly painful condition.
So, what exactly is osteoarthritis? As the name suggests, ‘osteo’ refers to bone, and ‘itis’ refers to inflammation. A degenerative disease, it progressively gets worse over time if left untreated.
How common is arthritis?
Arthritis is the number one cause of lameness in horses. It can significantly impact their quality of life, dramatically reducing their capacity to be exercised and can even reduce their mobility in the paddock.
What causes arthritis?
The number one cause of arthritis is wear and tear on the protective layer of the bone, called cartilage. This wear and tear creates inflammation within the joint, leading to pain and further degradation of the cartilage cells.
Developmental issues in younger horses, such OCD, poor conformation or bacterial infections, are other common causes of arthritis. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your young horse maintains a healthy weight, is fed a high-quality diet and is allowed to mature sufficiently before being broken in. Keep an eye out for our next post where we’ll talk about identifying the early signs of arthritis, and what to do about them.
How do we diagnose arthritis?
Arthritis can be quickly and easily diagnosed by Dr. Libby, Dr. Liam or Dr. Fenella. They perform a range of physical examinations to assess whether your loved horse or pony may be suffering from arthritis. They will ask you lots of questions too so we can get a good picture of your horse’s overall health and any recent changes in mood, stiffness during work or reluctance to perform certain exercises. Often the irregularity in the gait can show up more on one rein than the other. Our Vets will perform a hands-on examination to assess limb flexion, heat or swelling of the joints as well as a visual assessment of your horse, or ‘trot-up”. We may perform flexion tests, and if significant lameness is noted, we may take xrays of the affected joint(s)
But don’t worry, arthritis can be very easily treated when caught early. Our vets have a range of treatment options to suit every horse. This means your horse can continue his athletic career well into his later years.
If you think your horse may be suffering from arthritis, please call on 0149306182 for a consultation.