Manage Equine Arthritis Using Legend for Horses

Legend horse injection offers joint relief for horses

It’s a common misconception that arthritis only impacts the senior horses in our barn, but truly every horse -- no matter their age or breed -- is at risk.

Osteoarthritis (OA), also referred to as equine degenerative joint disease (DJD), results in degeneration of the joints, pain, inflammation, reduced flexibility and range of motion. The condition often affects a horse’s synovial and cartilaginous components of joints from hips to hocks, stifles, knees and fetlocks.

Tony Hawkins, DVM, Technical Services Veterinarian at Valley Vet Supply, explained more about equine arthritis.

“Arthritis in horses is a chronic cycle of progressively worsening degeneration of joint cartilage, loss of synovial fluid, pain, and inflammation,” said Dr. Hawkins. “It is common in horses and most often affects the stifle, hock or fetlock. Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, but the damage to the joint can be slowed by regular light exercise, weight management, and injections or oral supplements to promote joint cartilage health and lubrication. Long-term management will likely require pain control through the form of prescription medications or pain relief supplements.”

Signs

Look for these common symptoms of arthritis in horses, such as lameness or limping, warm or painful, swollen joints, reluctance or difficulty to move, and stiffness in the joints.

Diagnosis

Monitor your horse for any of the signs mentioned above. Also, review your horse closely, as often as daily, to see if one leg may be larger than the other, or if the back is sore or their hocks are maintaining any fluid. Share any new findings with your veterinarian. Â Should your veterinarian suspect joint problems, it’s likely they will perform a routine lameness evaluation.

For Management of Arthritis in Horses, Look to Legend for Horses

Your horse’s joint health can be benefited through Legend Injectable Solution, which is indicated in the treatment of joint dysfunction of the carpus or fetlock in horses due to non-infectious synovitis associated with equine osteoarthritis. When given once a week for three weeks, Legend reduces production of inflammatory mediators, joint inflammation, and resulting lameness for at least 45 days. To decrease the effects of equine osteoarthritis, look to Legend horse injection, which is backed by more than 25 years of safe and effective treatment success -- demonstrated by studies.

Benefits include:

FDA-approved joint therapy for both intravenous (I.V.) and intra-articular (I.A.) administration

Easy to use I.V. administration for when intra-articular administration is not practical or desired

Excellent to good overall clinical improvement in 90% of cases treated I.V.

Excellent to good overall clinical improvement in 96% of horses treated I.A.

Multi-modal approach against the cycle of inflammation and lameness

Stimulates endogenous hyaluronic acid production

Creates a physical barrier to exclude inflammatory mediators

Decreases the presence of inflammatory mediators

A Legend dose for horses consists of Legend Multi Dose (20mL) and Legend 4mL (40mg) injected intravenously at a dosage of 4mL. Intravenous treatment may be repeated at weekly intervals for a total of three treatments. Legend 2mL (20mg) can be injected intravenously (at a dosage of 4mL) or intra-articularly in the carpus or fetlock.

Manage equine arthritis today to keep your horse comfortable and performing their best. Shop Legend for horses at ValleyVet.com.

This advertorial is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.