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  Discussion on Conquer gel
Author Message
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 8:44 am:

Hi, Dr. O,

I bought a 19 YO quarter horse approx 2 months ago. I noticed when he walks that he drags his back toes. He was not a fast mover. When I pick his feet - he would't bend at the hock, he could barely flex his fetlock - I think he would flex at his hip (?). I assume it was arthritis. I noticed that there was nothing other than skin and bones on his rear fetlock areas. My other horse has some flesh there - not swollen or anything, just something other than skin and bones.

I have switched his feed to Dynasty Senior with some corn oil. He gets 1 gm of bute daily. I had some Conquer gel tubes that I was using on my other horse (who now has no need for them at this time), so I thought I would try them on my new horse. He has been fed Conquer for approx. 4 weeks and I have noticed an improvement. He now bends at the knee when I need to clean his feet. There is also some flesh now on his rear fetlocks. It is not swollen, just more like my other horse. He also has alot more energy, he wants to walk, trot, you name it.

I don't know if the feed change affected his joints or if the Conquer has helped. He is not ridden any more often (probably a little less due to a wet spring and possible thrush starting) than before I bought him. (He is used as a lesson horse for beginners.)

On a side note, he had rain rot in his wither and back area (sort of bad), but I used betadine on all the areas and all the hair grew back within a few weeks.

I think he is feeling much better all the way around now. I am thinking about stopping the bute.

I'd like your opinion if you think the Conquer has helped or could the diet change alone could have helped his joints.

Thanks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 6:49 pm:

What are the ingredients, concentration, and dosage rate Nadia?
DrO
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 7:44 am:

Ingredients: Distilled water, natural apple flavoring, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carboxymethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Citric Acid (preservative).

Guaranteed Analysis: Sodium Hyaluronate, min = 100 mg/10ml

Directions: 10ml (100 mg) once a day per 1100 lbs for 2 weeks. Maintenance: 10ml every other day or 5ml daily.

I have no opinion either way if this is helping him or coincidence. I started this more or less as an experiment. I would say the range of motion has increased from 0 to about 25-30% - since it didn't seem he was bending his hock joints at all and he now is able to bend them a noticeable amount (not 100%, not sure if he will ever be there).

Any advice/opinions are appreciated! Thanks!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 10:06 am:

It may be neither Nadia or both but probably has most to do with the change in work load and perhaps trimming. The problem with judging effects of therapy on arthritis is that the degree of lameness itself waxes and wanes. Currently I do not know of any good independent research to support the use of oral hyaluronate for arthritis. We do have specific recommendations for oral supplements in the article associated with this discussion section.
DrO
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jun 4, 2006 - 8:19 pm:

I have made an observation with my horse. I had treated his feet with betadine for thrush. It only took about 2 days and his feet dried out nicely. The weather was fairly dry as well. This was about the time that I noticed him bending his joints. I didn't make the connection that sore feet would prevent him from flexing his hock. We had alot of rain about 7 days ago and his paddock has still been a little wet. It is not deep mud, but damp. I hadn't cleaned his feet out for a few days. Last night, I cleaned his feet and he is back to not flexing his hock. His feet are very damp and he is very sore. The bottom of his feet have me worried - I am using betadine again as it worked quickly before. All said, does this make sense? His sore soles cause alot of pain to bend his hocks? Is this indicative of a bigger problem?

I just ordered a biotin supplement [ Grand Hoof: One ounce contains 20 mg of 99% pure biotin, 3000 mg dl-methionine, 1500 mg lysine, 250 mg zinc, 25 mg copper, 20 mg B6 and live yeast cultures Yea-sacc 1026 to enhance absorption, all blended with a palatable and easily digested soybean meal base. Feed 1 oz. (1 scoop) daily for a 1,000 lb. horse.]

He has a history of poor feet. I hope this will help him. He is getting Dynasty now, but I am wondering if I should add multi-vitamin powder. I don't want to oversupplement.

Thanks, Dr. O!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 8:03 am:

I would base whether to use vitamins on the recommendations in the Nutrition Overview article Nadia. There is nothing in this supplement to prevent you from doing this.
DrO
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