Oral treatment with a nutraceutical (Cosequin) for ameliorating signs of navicular syndrome in horses.
Abstract: Fourteen horses with a progressive forelimb lameness of 3 to 12 months' duration, diagnosed as navicular syndrome, were selected from clinical cases admitted to Auburn University Equine Hospital for evaluation of the efficacy of an orally administered nutraceutical (Cosequin, Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., Edgewood, MD) for ameliorating clinical signs associated with naturally occurring navicular syndrome. Horses were randomly allocated to treatment with the nutraceutical or a placebo. Treatment was five scoops (16.5 g) of powder twice daily in the feed. The test group (n = 8) received a patented nutraceutical consisting of 9 g of FCHG49 (a highly purified glucosamine HCl), 3 g of TRH122 (a specific purified low-molecular-weight sodium chondroitin sulfate), and 600 mg of manganese ascorbate. The placebo group (n = 6) received an indistinguishable oral powder containing only excipients. Owners and the investigator were unaware of group assignments. The same investigator assessed lameness and overall clinical condition at enrollment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Lameness was assessed by an algofunctional lameness index, comprising a combined sum score of standing posture, hoof tester examination, and lameness scores at various levels of work. Overall clinical efficacy was rated on a visual analogue scale. Owners assessed lameness via a preassigned questionnaire, incorporating an algofunctional lameness index and overall clinical condition at weekly intervals. Radiographic examinations of the navicular bones were performed at enrollment and after 8 weeks of treatment. The median algofunctional lameness index and overall clinical condition scores assigned the investigator were significantly improved (P = .05) for horses treated with the nutraceutical compared with placebo-treated horses. The degree of improvement in algofunctional lameness index assigned by owners after 8 weeks was also significant (P = .045) between the treatment groups. Radiographic scores after treatment were not significantly different between the groups (P > .05).
Publication Date: 2001-04-01 PubMed ID: 19753708
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a study on the efficacy of a nutraceutical product, Cosequin, in treating navicular syndrome, a form of lameness in horses. The study revealed significant improvement in horses treated with this nutraceutical, compared to those given a placebo.
Research Method
- The study focused on 14 horses afflicted with navicular syndrome for a time period ranging between 3 to 12 months.
- Researchers administered Cosequin, a nutraceutical by Nutramax Laboratories, to test its efficiency in improving the clinical signs associated with navicular syndrome.
- The sample horses were divided into two groups – one being administered the nutraceutical and the other a placebo. The nutraceutical was given in the form of a powder mixed with their food at a specified dosage.
- To maintain the sanctity of the experiment, both the nutraceutical and placebo were given in an indistinguishable form and neither the horse owners nor the investigator knew which horse was given what.
Parameters for Assessment
- Evaluation of the effects of treatment was performed by a single investigator. The assessment was done at the start of the treatment, and again after 4 and 8 weeks.
- Assessment was done on the basis of an algofunctional lameness index, which considers the horse’s standing posture, response to a hoof tester examination, and lameness scores at varying work levels.
- Overall clinical efficacy was rated on a visual analogue scale.
- Horse owners were also involved in assessing the condition of the horses by asking them to fill out questionnaires at weekly intervals.
- Radiographic examinations of the navicular bones were conducted at the start and after 8 weeks of treatment.
Research Findings
- Results showed that horses treated with the nutraceutical experienced significant improvement in their condition, as indicated by their lameness index and overall clinical condition scores.
- Owners’ assessment of their horses’ improvement in the algofunctional lameness index after 8 weeks of treatment also revealed significant difference between the treatment groups.
- However, the radiographic examinations revealed no significant difference between the two groups post treatment.
Cite This Article
APA
Hanson RR, Brawner WR, Blaik MA, Hammad TA, Kincaid SA, Pugh DG.
(2001).
Oral treatment with a nutraceutical (Cosequin) for ameliorating signs of navicular syndrome in horses.
Vet Ther, 2(2), 148-159.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chondroitin Sulfates / administration & dosage
- Chondroitin Sulfates / therapeutic use
- Dietary Supplements
- Female
- Foot Diseases / drug therapy
- Foot Diseases / pathology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Glucosamine / administration & dosage
- Glucosamine / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
- Male
- Manganese / administration & dosage
- Manganese / therapeutic use
Citations
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