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Understanding and Recognizing Horse Arthritis

2016/5/4 10:26:58

Just like humans, animals like horses also experience problems with their skeletal system and one of the most common problems is arthritis. In this problem, the fluid in the joints that prevents the two bones from having a contact is not present anymore. This makes the two bones slide past one another, creating friction and this friction is what makes arthritis very painful. Another term for horse arthritis is degenerative joint disease (DJD) and you can determine whether a horse has a high chance of developing this joint problem by just examining its conformation or body structure. Horses that have conformational problems are at higher risk of developing horse arthritis. This is due to the fact that their weight is not properly distributed throughout their body so some joints experience more pressure compared to the others.

Age is also a factor when it comes to horse arthritis because as with humans, this disease is common in older people. As a horse ages, its metabolic activity and other biological processes change, leading to the slow production and repair of cells. When this happens, the bones and cartilages start to degenerate, making them prone to skeletal problems. At an old age, horses will be experience difficulty in movement due to the inflamed joints.

To help you determine whether your horse has skeletal problems like arthritis, examine its legs regularly especially after an activity. Regular examinations are necessary in order to detect and treat the problem as early as possible. Observe whether your horse is exerting too much effort on its movements because this can mean that it is experiencing pain. You can suspect that your horse has arthritis but be sure to confirm it with a veterinarian as the difficulty of movement may be a symptom of another disease that is different from horse arthritis. If your veterinarian confirms that your horse has arthritis, be sure to start the medication as soon as possible. Ask for the best medicine that will alleviate the pain and reduce the inflammation of the joints. You can also look for health supplements that can increase your horse's production of joint fluid to decrease the friction between the bones in the joint. Also, be sure to give your horse the right foods so that he will be supplied with all the necessary nutrients to help it cope with its disease. You should also avoid giving your horse difficult work because this will only make the disease worse.

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