Equine Medical Conditions & Treatments
Yes. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) “60-70% of horses aggressively treated (for EPM) show significant or complete reversal of symptoms.” There are some 10%-20% of horses that will suffer relapse.
Aggressively treating EPM can be expensive. Depending on the medications administrated, the treatment period can take as little as 1 month or up to 3-6 months.
OCD lesions are cartilage flaps (sometime containing bone) that develop at the end of bones during the development of young horses. This condition is most common in young horses that experience rapid growth spurts.
As the soft cartilage cells at the end of bone turn into bone cells, effectively lengthening the bone, sometimes the process goes askew and the cartilage pulls away from the bone, resulting in cartilage flaps (OCD lesions). These flaps add a secondary concern when they break loose and find their way into the joint, also known as “joint mice.”
OCD lesions are most commonly found in the stifle, hock and fetlock joints as well as between the neck vertebras. Lesions can also occur, although less commonly in the shoulder, hip and elbow joints. The lesions cause inflammation and fluid buildup resulting in varied levels of lameness. Over time, if the condition is left untreated, the affected joints can develop degenerative joint disease (arthritis).
OCD lesions will generally develop within the first 11 months of life but may not be noticed until 3 to 5 years of age as the horse begins training. If you are considering the purchase of a young horse, it is a good idea to radiograph those joints that are most affected to determine if OCD lesions are present.
Learn More: Treating OCD Lesions in Horses
Yes. OCD lesions are generally treated with surgery. A surgeon will remove the cartilage flap (OCD lesion), scrape away any underlying diseased bone or tissue and then flush the joint to ensure removal of any lingering fragments.
A secondary method of pinning the flap down was studied by researchers at Cornell University. Their study indicated that the “pinning” method has promise. The benefit of this method may produce a more stable joint long term. They are quick to point out that not all horses with OCD lesion will benefit from pinning. According to Dr. said Alan J. Nixon, BVSc, Dipl. ACVS, director of the Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. L., lesions that are “degenerate and irregularly shaped” are not good candidates for this method.
If a young horse is experiencing OCD but has not yet developed lesions, treatment may consist of changing its diet to slow rapid growth. Learn more about Major Causes of OCD Lesions in Horses
The clinical appearance of this disease typically falls into two types: “aggressive” and “dumb.” Aggressive symptoms include combativeness and violent behavior, as well as sensitivity to touch and other kinds of stimulation. The “dumb” form of the disease causes the animal to be lethargic, weak in one or more limbs, and the inability to raise its head or make sounds because its throat and neck muscles are paralyzed. These symptoms are also synonymous with other types of disease so your veterinarian should be called right away to complete an evaluation and rule out other possibilities.
In most cases, a hock injection is meant to relieve hock pain and consists of a mixture of both a steroid and hyaluronic acid. The steroid reduces swelling and the hyaluronic acid lubricates the joints.