Frankstown
Well-Known Member
As the title, is it the same as bone spavin?
What is DJD?
- Thread starter Frankstown
- Start date
lizzie_liz
Well-Known Member
DJD stands fir degenetive Joint Disease
Frankstown
Well-Known Member
I've recently had a horse diagnosed with it, and can't find out much in books. Is it treatable? My vet said no, but he was very negative about the whole thing, and I was in shock so didn't ask enough.
Faithkat
Well-Known Member
There are a fair few websites with info. This one's quite good: http://www.recoveryeq.com/degenerative_joint_disease.htm
I just googled degenerative joint disease horses (people get it too)
I just googled degenerative joint disease horses (people get it too)
lizzie_liz
Well-Known Member
Honey was diagnosed with DJD in 2002 and at the same time was also diagnosed with navicular to complicate matters. At the time she was really lame and was on the verge of being PTS but after bute, steriods, cortaflex we decided to turn her away and let everything settle down.
She came sound the start of 2003 and has been sound since, we have just affliated her dressage and went to the Trailblazer finals SJ last year.
I try and give her as much turn as possible and give her a good canter before I start hard work with her.
She is going the best she has ever been and can't believe that at one point we did consider have her PTS
She came sound the start of 2003 and has been sound since, we have just affliated her dressage and went to the Trailblazer finals SJ last year.
I try and give her as much turn as possible and give her a good canter before I start hard work with her.
She is going the best she has ever been and can't believe that at one point we did consider have her PTS
star
Well-Known Member
it's not treatable as in curable, but it's definitely manageable, mostly with pain medication, anti-inflammatories and rest.
lizzie_liz
Well-Known Member
Mine is not on any medication or supplements. I think Honey seems to be the anomaly horse when it comes to navicular and DJD. She was diagnosed at Newmarket.
Frankstown
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all of that.
Is it hereditory?
Is it hereditory?
lizzie_liz
Well-Known Member
I have no idea TBH, I think mine got it after she had a fall SJ and went lame afterwards, but due to her supposed navicular I wouldn't breed from her
monstermunch
Well-Known Member
DJD is degenerative joint disease and is basically arthritis. As with humans there is no set rule on when it comes on in horses or if indeed your horse will ever develop it to an extent that becomes debilitating (lame). It is not hereditary as it is a wear and tear arthritis although certain conformational problems (which are hereditary) can leave a horse prone to early onset of arthritis.
If you would like to do a search on it all you need to do is look up arthritis as this is what it is. The best thing you can do is keep your horse in exercise but take care on very hard ground and i wouldn't trot for long periods on tarmac as this concussion will aggravate arthritis in the long term. As some one has already said it is not curable but is most definately managele and you can stop it progressing or worsening with the right management. I wouldn't use pain killers or anti inflammatories or steroid injections unless absolutely necessary and you had exhausted all other avenues. Instead contine with exercise don't stable the horse for long periods as this will highten stiffness and use a good quality high strength joint supplement. And lastly don't worry. Arthritis to some extent is natural and by no means, means you won't be able to continue as normal with your horse. Good luck!
If you would like to do a search on it all you need to do is look up arthritis as this is what it is. The best thing you can do is keep your horse in exercise but take care on very hard ground and i wouldn't trot for long periods on tarmac as this concussion will aggravate arthritis in the long term. As some one has already said it is not curable but is most definately managele and you can stop it progressing or worsening with the right management. I wouldn't use pain killers or anti inflammatories or steroid injections unless absolutely necessary and you had exhausted all other avenues. Instead contine with exercise don't stable the horse for long periods as this will highten stiffness and use a good quality high strength joint supplement. And lastly don't worry. Arthritis to some extent is natural and by no means, means you won't be able to continue as normal with your horse. Good luck!
Andy66
Member
DJD is basically arthritis in the joints. There is only one product on the market specifically formulated for this condition. It is called Premier Flex Plus from Equine Answers. It is a very high spec joint supplement with a high level of added Devils Claw (much higher than you get in No Bute, Bute Less etc)
The joint supplement works to improve joints and the high level of devils claw helps to ease inflammation and pain.
You will find details on their website at www.equineanswers.co.uk
The joint supplement works to improve joints and the high level of devils claw helps to ease inflammation and pain.
You will find details on their website at www.equineanswers.co.uk
Charlie77
Well-Known Member
My horse whos only 13, has also been recently been diagnosed with it, He had an intravinous injection every week for 3 weeks i think this was Hydraginate? to boost fluid to the joint, my vet also advised me to use a supplement called "Mobifor Plus" (this contains Devils Claw) followed by "Mobifor" for life or all the time he is ridden any-way, this is specifically for DJD and is produced by NAFF but only available through your vet! I now have him shod every 5 weeks to try and improve balance in his front feet, as the problem is in his coffin joint, He seems to be fine we have just been hacking out & doing some schooling, since diagnosis 3 months ago, trouble is I don't think he realises he has a problem, try telling him to go steady!
I was wondering how he would cope with some jumping indoors in the winter though?
I was wondering how he would cope with some jumping indoors in the winter though?