Animal Health Solution - a Henry Schein Animal Health magazine for veterinary professionals
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16 Covetrus | 855.724.3461 | northamerica.covetrus.com Make early detection routine Inflammation generally leads to pain, so detecting inflammation starts with a thorough physical examination to assess joint range of motion and discomfort. Performing a standardized examination followed by detailed documentation in the medical record helps define and track a patient's "normal" baseline for comparison later. Focus on prevention Ideally, you and your clients are able to work as partners to prevent inflammation in horses by focusing on two things: Deterring (or reversing) obesity and keeping the horse active. Consistent, low-impact exercise is vital, along with a forage-based, well-balanced diet supported by vitamins, minerals and key nutrients. Plan to go multimodal In equine practice, pain is best managed from a multimodal perspective. If the patient is considered at the center of a wheel, then each modality serves as a spoke on the wheel of care. The key to managing inflammation is to choose modalities that best complement each other for the patient. • Pharmaceuticals are FDA-approved substances intended to diagnose, treat or prevent a disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSAGs), and bisphosphonates are commonly used in equine practice to treat various inflammatory conditions. • Nutraceuticals are used extensively in equine medicine. Depending on the product and its labelling, a nutraceutical may be a part of the horse's daily intake or applied topically to support overall health and wellness. • Physical medicine modalities have been successfully adapted for equine patients in recent years to include options such as acupuncture, chiropractic, targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) shockwave, photobiomodulation (or laser therapy) and treadmill/ swim therapy. • Therapeutic shoeing makes an important contribution to mobility to help decrease inflammation and pain, particularly when joints and other tissues are a case of "use it or lose it." Think long-term NSAIDs and intraarticular corticosteroids continue to serve as a cornerstone of multimodal pain management in patients with chronic inflammation and pain in its initial stages. While they're safe and effective, they do present potential risks for an adverse event. There are advantages to eliminating the everyday dose of an NSAID and reserving use for episodes of acute pain. Take a naturally smart defense In weighing the risk of side effects, a more natural approach may be welcomed by horse owners. One option is MicroLactin, ® the active ingredient in Duralactin ® * nutritional supplements. Microlactin is a specialized milk protein concentrate shown to inhibit neutrophils before they multiply, migrate and amplify the inflammatory process. Duralactin ® is supported by more than 14 years of clinical use with very few side effects reported, suitable for high-risk animals under veterinary care, and ideal for long-term use. It is a well-tolerated alternative for the long-term management of musculoskeletal conditions and can be taken as part of a daily regimen to help manage inflammation. It is not believed to interact with NSAIDs or steroids. Learn more at duralactin.com/inflammation. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. SPONSORED BY PRN