ArthramidVet^® for Equine

ArthramidVet® is an inert, non-toxic and biocompatible material that is completely safe and stable within the joint. 2.5% Polyacrylamide (2.5% PAAG) has been extensively studied, tested and used safely in horses and humans over many years and ArthramidVet® is approved and registered in New Zealand, Australia & USA.

It can be used to treat lameness and joint pain in synovial joints including coffin joints, pastern joints, fetlock joints, carpal (knee) joints, hock joints and stifle joints.

There are no observed side-effects to ArthramidVet®. There is a slight risk (<1:1500) that your horse may develop a mild transient oedema or tenderness at the treatment site as the tissue integration is occurring. If not caused by infection, these reactions are usually self-limiting and will resolve within a couple of weeks. If this does occur always seek veterinary advice.

No. ArthramidVet® is not a pharmaceutical preparation and its ingredients are not prohibited substances. You can be assured that it will not produce a positive test. In some competition jurisdictions, a withholding time may be imposed on any intra-articular injections. We recommend you discuss this with your veterinarian.

ArthramidVet® is effective in both early and late stages of osteoarthritis and the best results are obtained by treating early in the disease process. This allows the product to slow the deterioration of the disease and give your horse a greater chance of continuing in training and meeting its full performance potential.

We recommend a 48-hour rest period immediately after the procedure followed by 2 weeks of light exercise. Swimming, water treadmills and dry treadmills are ideal during this period. After this initial period of lower impact exercise, you should be able to train and compete your horse to the extent you wish, depending on the disease and the response to treatment.

Yes. To avoid pain and any interruption of the training programme it is best to plan the treatment in advance of exercise and the earlier in the preparation the better. However, as long as the above post-treatment recommendations are followed treatment can be at any stage.

Clinical studies in racing thoroughbreds demonstrate Arthramid Vet is more effective (83.3%) at treating lameness, versus corticosteroids such as Triamcinolone (27.3%), and Hyaluronic Acid (40%) alone.

Keep in mind that ArthramidVet® has a different mode of action and requires 2-4-weeks to allow its full integration into the joint. Patience at this stage will result in a better and longer-lasting soundness and a more cost-effective treatment option of arthritis in for your horse.

Note. Veterinarians may still consider using other IA medications with the treatment of ArthramidVet® taking place 2-4 weeks before or afterwards, depending on what condition is being treated. Use of NSAID’s with ArthramidVet® may also be useful and carries no contra-indications.

ArthramidVet® begins to work immediately but it takes 2-4 weeks to fully integrate into the joint. Pain will gradually subside over this period. It is important to remember that ArthramidVet® does not treat the symptoms of lameness (e.g. masking the pain) rather it works to remove the underlying cause of the lameness. It requires a more patient approach but provides a superior and longer-lasting effect to conventional treatments.

In most cases, only one treatment of ArthramidVet® is required in a campaign or season. In about 15% of lameness cases (partial responders), a second top-up treatment may be required. It is very common that horses remain lame-free over the course of several competitive seasons. Your veterinarian will be able to explain dose rates as these vary between different joints and the severity of the arthritis.

ArthramidVet® is a registered veterinary medicine for intra-articular use only it is only available by prescription from your veterinarian and must be administered only by qualified veterinarians.

No. ArthramidVet® is not indicated in the treatment of sacroiliac disease in horses. The sacroiliac joint is what is called a ‘synarthrosis’ joint that is essentially immobile. This type of joint provides for a strong connection between the adjacent bones, and enables transfer of the load from the hind limbs to the spine. Arthramid Vet is indicated in synovial or arthrodial and high motion joints.

Sacroiliac disease is often managed successfully with a controlled exercise programme, addressing underlying lameness issues in the distal limb, addressing any back or tack/ rider issues, and with the use of corticosteroids and/or anti-inflammatories.

We always recommend stall rest for 48 hours immediately after treatment.

Then typically;
Hand walk 5 days.
Week 2: walking (by hand or under rider if lameness permits) for 20 minutes + 3 minutes trot.
Week 3: walking 20 min + 6 min trot
Week 4 walking 20 min + 9 min trot.
Week 5 forward: if lamefree, start canter exercises and a return to normal work is expected by 6 weeks. If the lameness has not resolved consult with your veterinarian to reassess the diagnosis.