Dog Arthritis

Horse Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that is experienced with excessive pain and swelling around the joints. The excessive pain and swelling is prevalent among horses suffering from this disease also. Treatments for arthritis depend upon the severity of the disease. Combined method of treatment proves to be effective and yield good results in short periods of time.

During the early stages of arthritis the horse may be made to rest completely. Medication and physiotherapy will be helpful for the recovery of the horse. Warning signals for equine arthritis can be visibly seen in horses. Behavior and performance change, run barrels, take leads and reluctance shown during the change leads are some of the prominent early symptoms of the disease.

Most of the horses are subjected to the risk and development of joint problems. The uneven pressure on the legs of the horse is the major root cause for inflammation and damage of the soft tissue. This joint problem has the ability to create DJD. The cartilage of the horse grows very quickly until the age of two. After the age of 15 the cartilage of horses are subjected to easy wear and tear and ultimately results in thinning between the bones. Age plays a major factor in horses. As the horses grow old the tendons and ligaments in between the bones lose their elasticity thereby easily increasing the risk of joint aches and pains.

Horses face unique joint problems. They respond to the injury and pain in a different manner. Detecting the arthritis disease in horses at an early stage is quite difficult. The normal symptoms at the early stage of arthritis are swelling around the infected area and lameness.

The severity of the disease can be assessed and judged accordingly with the help of x-rays and ultra sound scan. Advanced stage of arthritis can be cured only by injecting steroids in the inflammatory joints in order to decrease the pain. Worn out cartilages can be rebuild and necessary precautions should be adopted to protect the existing cartilages. Affected joints can be treated simultaneously with the help of intravenous injections.

Oral supplements like Glucosamine Sulphate and Chondrotin Sulphate are considered to be the best oral supplements during the course of injections. Controlled exercises on a regular basis will enable the horse to recover quickly. The low impact on the movement of joints like grazing and ambling will help in speedy recovery. Over exercises might result in causing excessive pain and can even worsen the condition of the horse.

Young horses should not be over stressed. This method proves to be economical and cost effective and acts as a preventive measure for Osteoarthritis problems. Oral supplements to the adult horse are very essential as they help to control the severity of the disease. During the course of rehabilitation programs, restriction and sticking to proper diet will enable the horse to respond to the medication. Nature care treatments for the horse also prove to be beneficial. Vitamin C can be supplemented because it has the capacity to protect joints from severe damage. The effective use of manganese helps in the synchronization of fluids in the joints and cartilage.