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DJD is relatively common in horses as they age. This disease can create changes in your horse’s behavior that are hard to pinpoint over time. However, if treated quickly your horse can live a comfortable life. Large sized horses may have a higher risk of developing DJD over time.
It is important to recognize that some of the symptoms (like change in personality and performance variations) are generalized and can mimic injuries, cysts, neurological issues and more. It will be important to pay special attention to the specific symptoms your horse may experience; if there are changes that concern you contact your equine veterinarian without delay.
Degenerative joint disease, also known as DJD, is when the cartilage in your horse’s joints deteriorates or thins. This can cause your horse to be in pain or discomfort when walking or being ridden. The disease is progressive and symptoms can become worse over time.
Degenerative Joint Disease Average Cost
From 288 quotes ranging from $650 - $8,000
Average Cost
$4,000
Some of these symptoms of degenerative joint disease are generalized, while others are more specific.
Behavior changes
Movement changes
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Diagnosis of DJD will need to be done by a veterinarian based on a physical exam and history. It will be important to share with the veterinarian what you have noticed about your horse’s behavior changes and when they began. It will also be important to discuss your horse’s lifestyle – such as is he used for riding, jumping, or showing, to better help your veterinarian understand the stress his joints may be under.
Once the physical exam is complete, testing may be requested for your horse to see any further damage and rule out other possibilities. One of the tests used are x-rays, x-rays are utilized to ensure there are no broken or fractured bones that could be resulting in your horse’s symptoms. If this test does not show any concerns, then CT scans and MRIs may be used for more advanced imaging. These 2 imaging tools can help to identify and show the extent of the damage to your horse’s joints.
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Treatment options can be as simple as anti-inflammatory medications and pain medication to help your horse to be more comfortable. There are a variety of medications available that are anti-inflammatory and can help to manage his pain and discomfort. It is also suggested to add a nutraceutical in to his diet to help with joint health.
If medication management is not enough to sustain your horse and allow him to be comfortable, surgery is the next option. Surgery can be used to remove or repair parts of your horse’s joints that are too deteriorated to remain. These surgeries are typically last resorts as DJD, if caught early enough, can be treated with less invasive methods such as medication and lifestyle change.
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Follow up appointments will be necessary as directed by your veterinarian and will most likely be necessary post-surgery and regular checkups to see any progression of his symptoms. Your veterinarian may suggest a less intense exercise regimen for your horse, along with introducing joint support supplements into his diet if caught early enough. Your horse’s joints may never return to normal; however, with appropriate interventions he can lead a comfortable and productive life.
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Degenerative Joint Disease Average Cost
From 288 quotes ranging from $650 - $8,000
Average Cost
$4,000
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Ask a Vet
Fire n Ice
Thoroughbred
7 Years
Moderate severity
1 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My 7 year old Tb was diagnosed with DJD in front right foot. He's intermittently lame (very footy on hard surface and lame on circles)and vet has recommended he retire since he also has hock arthritis (injected in January) in both and kissing spine. He is shod all round. I would love to send the xrays to you for a second opinion if possible but my actual question is how quickly will this progress once retired and not taking in any more supplements and anti inflammatories and how likely is it to be in the other foot too? Shoes have been pulled and he will be living 100% natural and outdoors so that he's free to move 24/7. He seems fine when running around in the field but bunny hops quite a bit which tells me I made the right decision. Would love your honest opinion in this regard.
Aug. 1, 2018
Fire n Ice's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Without seeing Fire N Ice, I can't really comment on what you can expect, but if he has DJD in one foot, unless it is from a previous injury, it seems that it may occur in other feet as well. He seems to have a fair number of joint and bone conditions, and retiring him is probably best for him to be comfortable. Joint disease will progress, in both people and animals, and if you are able to keep him on joint supplements, it may slow down the progression for him.
Aug. 1, 2018
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Sierra
Arabian
21 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My 21 year old Arabian mare has chronic problems with her front feet. Lately in the colder weather I have noticed she has trouble with her back feet. When she picks them up they click backwards when she lifts them as if she were an extremely sore gaited horse.
Jan. 20, 2018
Sierra's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Sierra or access to any x-rays that she may have had, I have a hard time commenting on what might be going on with her. It would be best to have her seen by your veterinarian, as they can evaluate her more fully, and recommend possible tests or treatments for her. I hope that she does well.
Jan. 21, 2018
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Good Thinking aka Gucci
Thoroughbred
8 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I recently found out that my 8 year our Thoroughbred Mare has DJD. She raced for 3 years and has been a show jumper for 3 years. We are not competitive in show jumping yet but she absolutely loves jumping. About 4 months ago she was showing signs of discomfort. Her trot and cancer were very short and she was pulling out of jumps on the left rein. About 2 months ago she went a bit lame, hard to explain because we would trot her out and she would be fine one day and lame the next. We let her rest for a week thinking she has a bruised foot and then started working slowly. After 2 days of working she was "falling" in the trot (flet like she was losing her legs) we then decided that we needed to call a vet. We landed up xraying her hind legs and found that she has mild DJD in her hocks, more specifically in the left. We injected Legend into both hocks and an intra-articular injection too. She was off for 10 days (2 days stable rest, 3 days box rest and 5 days small paddock rest). I have now been riding for 1 week and I cannot explain the difference in my horse. We have not started jumping yet as she needs 2 weeks before we can but her movement is so much more free and open. She is also more willing to drop her head onto the bit. Vet also came back to do a followup and she passed on her flexion where she did not before. I was just wondering, by giving her the legend and the intra-articular injections, does this not just numb the pain or does this actually slow down the DJD? By continuing to ride & work her does this not create long term problem? What kind of supplements could I give her to slow down / help with DJD?
Degenerative Joint Disease Average Cost
From 288 quotes ranging from $650 - $8,000
Average Cost
$4,000
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