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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2016; 32(2); 229-247; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2016.04.003

Musculoskeletal Disease in Aged Horses and Its Management.

Abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders are the most prevalent health problem in aging horses. They are not life threatening, but are painful and an important welfare issue. Chronic joint disease (osteoarthritis) and chronic laminitis are the most prevalent. Treating osteoarthritis in the elderly horse is similar to treating performance horses, but aims at providing a stable situation with optimal comfort. Immediate medical treatment of flare-ups, long-term pain management, and adaptation of exercise and living conditions are the mainstays of treatment. Laminitis in the geriatric horse is related often to pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, which may be treated with additional pergolide.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2016-07-28 PubMed ID: 27449390DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2016.04.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is about the common musculoskeletal disorders in aged horses and how they are managed. The study mainly focuses on osteoarthritis and chronic laminitis, discussing in detail the treatment and preventive measures for these conditions.

Musculoskeletal Disorders in Aging Horses

  • The researchers initially introduce the significant health issue in aged horses, which is the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders such as chronic joint disease (osteoarthritis) and chronic laminitis.
  • While these disorders do not directly endanger the horse’s life, they are associated with considerable pain, influencing the overall welfare of the horses. Such conditions also become more prevalent as the horse ages.

Osteoarthritis Treatment in Elderly Horses

  • The paper further delves into the treatment regimen for osteoarthritis in aged horses, which largely mirrors that for performance horses.
  • The primary goal of the treatment is to stabilize the condition while ensuring maximum comfort for the horse.
  • The treatment approach involves immediate medical attention during flare-ups, long-term pain management, and modifications in exercise routines and living conditions.

Laminitis and Its Association with Pituitary Dysfunction

  • Laminitis in elder horses, according to the research, is often linked to pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. This pituitary dysfunction is a common endocrine disorder in horses causing them to have hormonal imbalances, which can lead to many health problems, including laminitis.
  • The research discusses how the use of pergolide, a medication often used to manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in humans, may be beneficial as a supplemental treatment for horses with laminitis associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Cite This Article

APA
van Weeren PR, Back W. (2016). Musculoskeletal Disease in Aged Horses and Its Management. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 32(2), 229-247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2016.04.003

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 2
Pages: 229-247
PII: S0749-0739(16)30003-7

Researcher Affiliations

van Weeren, Paul René
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584CM Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: R.VANWEEREN@UU.NL.
Back, Willem
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584CM Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9280 Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Foot Diseases / therapy
  • Foot Diseases / veterinary
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
  • Veterinary Medicine

Citations

This article has been cited 25 times.
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