Ask the DJD Expert

How Can I Help My Clients Think Proactively When it Comes to DJD?

By Kelly Zeytoonian, DVM, MBA, CERP

Soundness is a significant concern in equine medicine, particularly for performance horses whose athletic careers depend on healthy joints. As veterinarians, we must help owners understand that maintaining joint health requires a thoughtful, comprehensive approach that goes beyond reactive treatments.

HORSE OWNERSHIP CAN BE A HEAVY LOAD TO BEAR
Horse ownership demands significant time and resources, from ensuring a healthy diet to maintaining regular farrier visits and training hours in the saddle. But many owners face challenges beyond their control, such as restricted hay options or predetermined farrier schedules. These constraints can make daily management feel like a second full-time job.

Plus, what happens when a horse comes up lame and there’s a show coming up, or a big camp ride in a week and a half that your client has been looking forward to all year with all of their friends and their horses?

When situations like this arise, it’s understandable when clients seek quick solutions like joint injections. However, there are often less invasive options for managing degenerative joint disease (DJD) that should be considered first. Our role as veterinarians is to help clients understand the value of comprehensive care while working within their practical limitations.

EARLY INTERVENTION MATTERS
Our practice advocates for preventive care through regular wellness checks—once or twice yearly for most horses, increasing to three or four times for those in intensive show programs. This allows us to identify subtle changes before they develop into performance-limiting issues. By tracking established trends and subtle asymmetries, we can address potential problems before they result in significant lameness. If we catch issues like DJD early enough, we can start to right the ship and provide anti-inflammatory support or minimally invasive injections, like Adequan i.m® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan). Sometimes these treatments can truly be all that’s needed to prevent a snowball effect that keeps a horse out of work for a while.

We’ve incorporated Adequan i.m. as a standard of care product for our horses with DJD. For horses displaying the early signs of DJD, we recommend systemic joint therapy as part of their regular care program. Early intervention with minimally invasive treatments can often prevent early joint disease from becoming a major setback that keeps a horse out of work for extended periods. Adequan i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. WARNING: Not for use in humans. See additional safety information for Adequan i.m. below.

TWO CHALLENGING SITURATIONS
While most owners readily accept joint health recommendations, there are two scenarios where clients are sometimes hesitant. The first involves young horses entering work. Owners often believe their 5- or 6-year-olds don’t need joint support because “they’re young.” However, when horses with DJD are learning new activities without developed supporting muscles, the underlying inflammation and adaptation to new work patterns often requires attention.

The second scenario involves retired horses, where mild lameness might be overlooked because the horse isn’t being ridden. Owners must understand that treatment isn’t just about maintaining performance—it’s about supporting the horse’s well-being at all stages of life. Even pasture-sound horses may need additional support to remain comfortable and healthy in their retirement years.

WHAT CAN VETERINARIANS DO?
Success begins with education. Start by addressing the fundamentals: proper diet, appropriate exercise programs and correct farrier care. This comprehensive approach ensures treatments are most effective by considering the whole horse rather than just focusing on joint issues. By taking this systematic approach, we can help clients understand the value of early intervention in maintaining their horses’ long-term joint health.

Dr. Kelly Zeytoonian is a paid consultant of American Regent Animal Health.

Important Safety Information: There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG). Studies have not been conducted to establish safety in breeding horses. WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensedveterinarian.

For additional safety information, please see full prescribing information at adequan.com.

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