Topical Equine Arthritis Relief

Equine arthritis, or osteoarthritis, refers to degenerative changes to the articular cartilage and bone in a horse's joints. Articular cartilage is the collagen-rich bone covering that evenly distributes the weight of the horse on the joints during movement. When this layer becomes damaged, uneven weight distribution within a joint results in bone degeneration, poor motion and pain in the animal. While arthritis is not curable, it can be managed with oral analgesics, intra-articular injections and application of topical (applied to the skin) medicines. Veterinary medications and over-the-counter topical arthritis treatment can include poultices, creams and liniments.

  1. Veterinary Treatment

    • Veterinarians normally prescribe phenylbutazone, an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), as an oral analgesic in horses. Because "bute" has been known to cause equine stomach upset and ulcers after repeated use, a cream with added copper was developed for topical use. In a study by D.E. Auer, J.C. Ng and A.A. Seawright published by the Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, University of Queensland, Australia, copper phenylbutazone was found to be safe and effective in reducing edema in inflamed joints with only minor skin irritation and trace concentrations in blood plasma as possible side effects.

      Diclofenac liposomal cream has been used as a topical arthritis treatment in human medicine for years, but in 2008 was released by IDEXX Pharmaceuticals Inc. for equine use under the trade name Surpass. A study by a Colorado State University Equine Orthopaedic Research Center research team headed by Dr. David Frisbie, a clinical sciences professor, concluded that diclofenac liposomal cream decreased the lameness, cartilage and bone erosion common in equine osteoarthritis. In an article titled "Topical Cream Shown to Benefit Equine Osteoarthitis in Colorado State University Study" presented at the annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners in 2007, the team states, "Surpass is the first drug in its classification, which is a drug classification that includes aspirin and other pain-fighting medications, to demonstrate dual action with both symptom modifying and disease modifying properties."

    Over-the-Counter Treatment

    • Poultices are mud preparations with a clay-like consistency that often have peppermint or eucalyptus oils added for cooling, anti-inflammatory effects. Veterinarians will recommend poultices be applied wet around the entire arthritic joint and wrapped with brown paper, a pillow wrap and elastic bandage to hold the poultice in place. As the treated mud dries, it draws heat and inflammation from the joint and its surrounding tendons and relieves pain.

      Creams made from chili pepper seeds contain a compound called capsaicin used to heat the joints and joint capsules of arthritic horses. The capsaicin works by ridding nerve cells of the chemical substance that allows for the transport of pain messages from the joint to the brain. While capsaicin creams will relieve the arthritic pain of older horses, the drug is illegal to use in sport horses that compete in thoroughbred racing, eventing, jumping and dressage shows.

      Dimethyl sulfoxide (commonly called DMSO) is widely used as a topical analgesic in horses. In a 70 percent DMSO, 30 percent water solution, DMSO crosses quickly into cell membranes and blocks peripheral nerve fibers that carry pain signals. When used on arthritic joints, pain relief has been shown to be almost immediate and can last up to six hours.

      There are many commercial liniments available to the owner of an arthritic horse. Most liniments are oil-based solutions with salicylate acids (aspirin), herbs or other homeopathic treatments added that are rubbed into the skin surrounding sore joints and tendons. Liniments can be applied as either warm or cold compresses and used before or after exercise. Owners are advised to either rinse off or leave the liniment on the skin, depending on the type of liniment used.