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  Discussion on Adequan IM: weekly dose vs. every 4 days?
Author Message
Member:
Frances

Posted on Monday, Jan 9, 2006 - 3:34 pm:

Dear DrO: Janssen's Animal Health don't seem to make any mention of maintenance doses of Adequan IM, but only recommend that the 7 shots be given once every 4 days for 28 days.

My vet has suggested giving a "maintenance" dose once a week, which I've seen mentioned many times on this forum; however, as I'm only giving the one box at this time, it wouldn't be maintenance in the real sense of the word (i.e. continuing maintenance).

In your opinion, which would be the more effective way of using one box of Adequan? (My horse has a recently healed suspensory ligament injury, and chronic arthritis in several joints.)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 8:05 am:

Unfortunately LL we have no research to guide us in this question. In fact in this years Milne's lecture given last month by Dr. McIlwraith, he concludes there is little evidence to support Adequan IM use. The problem seems to be one of too low a concentration to get the effect. If we assume there is a benefit, the more frequently given the better so as to boost articular levels. Direct IA use should be more efficacious with the caveats given in the article, "The Joint Protective Treatments." We are currently editing our article in light of this lecture, after all this guy knows more about joints, joint disease, and treatment than any other single person in the world...really.
DrO
Member:
Frances

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 9:09 am:

Many thanks, DrO. I'll go with the more frequent dosage then ... and look forward to reading your updated article. Great to have access to this information!
Member:
Beckettj

Posted on Sunday, Dec 24, 2006 - 11:21 pm:

Dr. O:

As a follow-up to this string of messages, could you please provide a link or an electronic copy of the McIlwraith lecture you mention in your post? I'd really like to see what he has to say. I've just finished treating my 8 year old hanoverian gelding with the 7 IM Adequan injections one every four days over 28 days, and I'm unsure where to go from here. I did see some improvement in his joint elasticity after being treated with the concentrated doses of Adequan, but it's too expensive to keep it up at that frequency. Is there a maintenance dosage, or do we switch to another form of joint supplementation after this? I'm really confused at this point. Thanks for your help.

Janice
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006 - 6:19 am:

I am afraid I do not have copyright permissions for this Janice but you will find that our articles on the treatment of arthritis incorporate this and all of the latest published information available on joint treatment therapy. For a overview of how to approach treatment of arthritis you should start with the article Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Joint, Bone, Ligament Diseases » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview.

For information on the specific dosing of Adequan and the other joint protective therapies, whether oral, systemic, of intra-articular the article associated with this discussion program, Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » The Joint Protective Treatments accessible off the navigation bar above.
DrO
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