Bone spavin is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in horses and ponies. Often both hind legs are affected to some extent. Horses with straight or sickle-shaped hocks seem to be at greater risk of developing the condition.
There is little movement between the lower rows of bones in the hock. However these joints are subjected to considerable compressive forces. This can lead to degenerative changes within the bone and destruction of the joint cartilage
In a paper published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, Dr Martin Gough and others describe a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 108 clinical cases of bone spavin.
The horses were treated at day zero with a single tiludronate infusion or a placebo and reassessed 60 days later after a period of controlled exercise.
Eighty seven horses completed the trials: 42 tiludronate treated horses and 45 placebo cases. By day 60 approximately 60% of the Tiludronate treated horses had improved in lameness by two grades or more, scored on a ten point system.
Tiludronate is believed to work by alleviating the pain associated with abnormal bone lysis.
This research was funded by CEVA Animal Health, manufacturers of Tildren®. For more information visit the website:
www.tildren.com
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