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Arthritis: Early Detection, Prompt Treatment The Keys To Long-Term Management

Though the term “arthritis” can be intimidating to horse owners, the diagnosis doesn't mean retirement is inevitable. Arthritis simply means inflammation in a joint, and can be caused by either an acute trauma or by chronic overuse.

A healthy joint boasts smooth bones as well as healthy cartilage and synovial fluid. Arthritis occurs when one of these is compromised, damaging the cartilage or bone. “Osteoarthritis” is degenerative joint disease; it is often more severe and can have long-term effects on a horse's soundness and comfort.

An injury that causes arthritis can be managed so that its long-term effects are minimal. A horse with arthritis will have pain and swelling, as well as a reduced range of motion from the joint inflammation. If this condition isn't caught quickly, the body may lay down rough new bone with no cartilage, causing a constant loop of joint damage, regeneration and swelling.

The best way to prevent arthritis from becoming a long-term issue is to identify and treat inflammation as soon after injury as possible. Ultrasound images are often the best way to diagnose a soft-tissue or cartilage injury early; X-rays are more helpful if the injury wasn't caught soon after onset, as they show bone formation.

The best way to prevent long-term damage from arthritis is to utilize stall rest and patience. Modalities designed to increase circulation, like shockwave therapy, can also be used.

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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often given to minimize pain and swelling. Joint injections can also be considered. These injections may include corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatories that suppress the horse's natural immune response and reduce the development of rough bone, or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, which can replace or supplement existing HA.

Maybe She’s Born With It: Navicular Fractures May Not Be Trauma-Based

Scientists in Belgium and the Netherlands have discovered that abnormalities in the navicular bone that cause lameness may not be related to trauma — some may be genetic. Partitioned navicular bones are often confused with fractures and assumed related to wear or injury.

Drs. Ellen van der Zaag, Erik Weerts, Antoon van den Belt and Willem Back documented three cases of navicular bone partitions whose sections are defined by defects in the bone, covered in smooth cartilage and vary from full separation to shallow indentations. Each was discovered when the lame horse had X-rays taken.

These abnormalities aren't injuries, the researchers note: they are present at birth and could be seen if X-rays were taken before the horse became lame. The researchers believe that these areas are caused by a disturbance in blood vessel arrangement as the bone transforms from cartilage to bone. The partitioning typically develops in two specific areas: one-third of the width of the bone from either end, where blood vessels converge.

The partitions in the bone weaken it. As a horse grows and enters work, these partitions may develop cysts as damaged areas begin to die, making the horse lame. If the condition is found before the horse becomes lame, then corrective trims and shoeing, restricted exercise, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory use may help preserve the horse's soundness.

However, the prognosis for soundness is poor even when these tactics are employed. A neurectomy, where the nerve is surgically severed, isn't recommended as it would accelerate cyst formation and increase fracture risk.

CT Scan Best Modality To ID Foreign Bodies In Equine Feet

Drs. Nadine Ogden, Peter Milner, John Stack and Alison Talbot from the University of Liverpool created a study that compared diagnostic modalities to determine which was the best for identifying foreign bodies in horses' feet. Even when an injury is obvious, it isn't always clear if any foreign material remains within the wound.

The research team buried two foreign bodies into cadaver equine legs: one at the sole and one at the coronary band. The materials included dry wood, soaked wood, glass, slate and plastic. They then asked three equine veterinarians to examine the images produced by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital X-rays.

They determined that there was minimal variation between the vet's findings on all the images. CT was found to be the most useful imaging modality. CT was able to detect all materials; it was able to pick out slate, glass and dry wood better than the other imaging modalities.

The foreign bodies were able to be seen on MRI, but these images were not clear enough for the vets to determine what type of material it was. Plastic and wood were difficult to determine on digital X-rays.

The team notes that though it is not traditionally necessary to determine what material is involved, it is important to use an appropriate imaging technique to make sure the foreign body can be detected.

Read the full investigation here.

Sand Colic Survey Results Lead To Interesting Conclusion

Horse owners and veterinarians have assumed for many years that horses develop sand colic because they accidentally ingest sand. A new study out of Finland suggests some horses may develop sand colic because they actually seek out and eat the soil.

Drs. Kati E.Niinistö, Meri Määttä, Mirja Ruohoniemi, Maria Paulaniemi and Marja Raekallio conducted an online survey of owners whose horses had been radiographed at some point in their lives to check for sand accumulation in their gut. Survey questions included what signs prompted the call to the veterinarian, how the horse was managed at the time of the vet call and how much sand had accumulated. A total of 447 surveys were used.

The scientists found that the veterinarian was called because the owner suspected sand accumulation and X-rays confirmed the suspicion. Symptoms of sand ingestion seen most often among respondents were colic, diarrhea and poor performance, which his often a subtle sign. “Poor performance” can mean that the horse doesn't want to go forward or may not be moving well.

Horses that exhibited signs of colic often had significant accumulations of sand in their gut. The team also found a correlation between poor performance and large sand accumulation. Horses that were colicky and had poor performance had the highest levels of sand in their gut.

Interestingly, the study team found no connections between sand accumulation, management or housing. This may be because some horses habitually ingest soil. The scientists are collecting samples to determine if any of the horses with sand accumulation are deficient in trace minerals, which would cause them to seek out soil to ingest.

The team also discovered that horses that cleaned up every scrap of hay had larger sand accumulations than horses that didn't eat all their hay. This may be related to keeping horses out for long periods without access to proper grass.

Whether sand ingestion is intentional or a byproduct of greedy horses, prevention of sand accumulation is key. Treating susceptible horses with psyllium a few times a year can clear sand that has already been ingested; feeding in a bucket and offering hay or muzzling horses that forage too much are also options.