ARTHRITIS
Cause:
Equine Arthritis is a joint inflammation. The causes are many, impact trauma, over work, infection, mineral or dietary deficiency, old age or poor conformation. Specifically the areas liable to damage are the cartilage lining the bone ends inside joints, the bone itself in the joint which often calcifies causing a rough surface, the joint capsule, the synovial membranes, the ligaments around joints and the synovial fluid that lubricates the insides of joints. In very severe cases all structures are affected. Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is the term used for very severe arthritis when the joint actually begins to break down.
Treatment:
Prevention being better than any cure horse owners should ensure the correct balance of minerals, vitamins and trace elements from the very start of life - in the womb - via the mare and thereafter throughout the animal's life. Oils can also help in any case of stiff joints. Whether with arthritis or any other ailment in mind a good balanced diet gives the best chance of having a healthy long lived horse. Although many horses show signs of arthritis as they get older, it is not inevitable but it is not impossible that some genetic hereditary factor may be present.
Your vet will probably use Bute (phenylbutazone) to reduce the inflammation which can get out of hand and can cause most of the pain. This is a two edged sword as Bute can also cause other damage to the body such as the liver and interfere with the inflammation which is part of the natural healing process. Sodium hyaluronate and PSGAG can be injected direct into the joint and DMSO can be rubbed in topically to help reduce inflammation.