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Equine veterinary journal2011; 43(5); 530-535; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00324.x

Current joint therapy usage in equine practice: a survey of veterinarians 2009.

Abstract: Medications are frequently employed to treat intra-articular (IA) problems in the performance horse. Actual usage of the different IA medications in horses is not available. Objective: To determine the most common usage of these medications, members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) were surveyed. Methods: An email link to an online survey was electronically sent to 6305 AAEP members and the responses tabulated and analysed with a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 831 survey responses were submitted and tabulated. Eighty per cent of the respondents indicated that they see 100% equine cases in their practice. The majority of respondents (77%) use triamcinolone acetonide (TA) to treat high motion joints and 73% use methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) to treat low motion joints. Veterinarians treating the Western performance and Sport horse were significantly more likely to use TA in high motion joints compared to MPA (P = 0.0201 and P<0.0001, respectively). Triamcinolone acetonide use compared to MPA in high motion joints by racehorse veterinarians was significantly lower compared to other veterinarians (P<0.0001). Polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (Adequan) and hyaluronate sodium (Legend) were the most commonly used disease modifying products (63 and 57% of respondents, respectively). Sport horse practitioners were significantly more likely than race or show horse veterinarians to utilise IRAP products (P = 0.0035 and P = 0.04, respectively). Respondents who had been in practice for more than 10 years were significantly less likely to use antimicrobials in their joint injections compared to those in practice for less than 10 years (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Significant differences existed in usage of medications related to primary discipline treated and years practicing. Conclusions: The results of this study aid in defining the current usage of different joint therapy medications within equine practice. This knowledge can guide further research as well as education.
Publication Date: 2011-06-13 PubMed ID: 21668486DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00324.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research article is a survey of American equine veterinarians, exploring the most commonly used joint therapies and findings dependent on factors such as practitioner experience and the patient’s primary discipline.

Objective of the Study

  • The main aim of this paper was to provide detailed information on the current use of different intra-articular (IA) medications in horses, as known from practicing equine veterinarians.
  • The researchers wanted to determine the most commonly used medications for treating IA problems in performance horses and if their use varies based on factors like the horse’s discipline or the years of experience the veterinarian has.

Methodology

  • An online survey was designed and the link was electronically mailed to 6305 members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The data collected via these surveys was then analyzed using a logistic regression model.

Results and Analysis

  • The study received 831 responses which were subsequently analyzed.
  • Most of the respondents (80%) have a fully equine practice.
  • Findings revealed that the majority of respondents (77%) used triamcinolone acetonide (TA) to treat high motion joints while 73% used methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) to treat low motion joints.
  • The use of TA for high motion joints was significantly found more among veterinarians dealing with Western performance and Sport horses than those who used MPA.
  • Racehorse veterinarians, however, were significantly less likely to use TA in high motion joints as compared to other veterinarians.
  • Polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (Adequan) and hyaluronate sodium (Legend) were found to be the most commonly used products for disease modification (63% and 57% of respondents, respectively).
  • Sport horse practitioners significantly preferred to use IRAP products compared to race or show horse veterinarians.
  • Veterinarians who had been practicing for over 10 years were less likely to use antimicrobials in their joint injections than those in practice for less than 10 years. This difference was statistically significant.

Conclusions

  • The paper concludes by highlighting significant differences in the use of medications relating to the primary discipline of treatment and the years of practice.
  • The results of this survey are considered beneficial for defining current joint therapy medication usage in equine practice. This knowledge can guide future research and contribute to the education of practitioners.

Cite This Article

APA
Ferris DJ, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE. (2011). Current joint therapy usage in equine practice: a survey of veterinarians 2009. Equine Vet J, 43(5), 530-535. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00324.x

Publication

ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 5
Pages: 530-535

Researcher Affiliations

Ferris, D J
  • Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, CO, USA.
Frisbie, D D
    McIlwraith, C W
      Kawcak, C E

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
        • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
        • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
        • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
        • Data Collection
        • Glycosaminoglycans / administration & dosage
        • Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use
        • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
        • Horses
        • Injections, Intra-Articular
        • Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein / administration & dosage
        • Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein / therapeutic use
        • Joint Diseases / drug therapy
        • Joint Diseases / veterinary
        • Surveys and Questionnaires

        Citations

        This article has been cited 19 times.
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