Science‐in‐brief: Bisphosphonate use in the racehorse: Safe or unsafe?

McLellan, J.

doi:10.1111/evj.12682

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(100 reference statements)

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“…Recent years have drawn attention to bisphosphonate (BP) use in racehorse practice due to many misconceptions regarding bone physiology, drug pharmacology and limited scientific evidence of their use in young racehorses 42 . Bisphosphonates are inhibitors of osteoclast function, which at effective dosing levels, retard microdamage repair and may enable resultant stress fracture formation 42,43 . Additionally, BP’s anti‐apoptotic effect on osteocytes may jeopardise osteoclast recruitment to the site of damage for damage removal 44,45 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of complete tibial fractures in California racehorses

Samol

Uzal

Hill

et al. 2020

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Background Tibial fractures cause ~3% of racehorse deaths. Pre‐existing stress fractures have been associated with multiple racing and training fractures, but not complete tibial fractures. Objectives To describe racehorse tibial fractures and compare signalment and exercise histories of affected and control racehorses. Study design Retrospective analysis of necropsy reports. Methods Racehorses that had a complete tibial fracture (1990‐2018) were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment and exercise histories of affected horses were compared to 1) racehorses that died because of non‐tibial musculoskeletal injuries or 2) non‐musculoskeletal cause and 3) age, sex, event‐matched control racehorses. Tibial fracture prevalence was described relative to California racehorses that had at least one official work or race. Age, sex and limb distributions were compared between affected and control horses (Chi‐square, Fisher's Exact test). Exercise history data were reduced to counts and rates of official high speed works, races and layups (periods without an official high speed work or race >60 days). Variables were compared among groups using matched logistic regression (P ≤ .05). Results Tibial fractures in 115 horses (97% unilateral; 50% left, 47% right) occurred most commonly during training (68%) and in 2‐ to 3‐year‐old horses (73%). Fractures were predominantly comminuted (93%), diaphyseal (44%) and oblique (40%). Of 61 cases examined for callus, 64% had periosteal callus associated with fracture, most commonly in proximal (65%) and distal diaphyseal (27%) locations. Of 28 racehorses with known exercise history, 57% never raced and 36% had a layup. Affected horses had fewer official‐timed works and events (official high speed works and races), number of active days and accumulated less distance in events and works (P < .05) than control horses. Main limitations Retrospective review of necropsy reports by multiple pathologists over 28 years. Conclusions Tibial fractures were associated with pre‐existing stress fracture early in career. Most fractures were associated with proximolateral stress fractures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of complete tibial fractures in California racehorses

Samol

Uzal

Hill

et al. 2020

Equine Veterinary Journal

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“…Osteoclasts are abundantly present in growing epiphyseal plates up to 2 years old [80]. The extra-label use of BPs in young animals could impair physiological bone development in this population [80,95]. This has been demonstrated in a rabbit model, where BP administration caused a 3% decrease in the length of the tibia [96].…”

Section: The Use Of Bisphosphonates In Young/exercising Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the Use of Bisphosphonates Putting Horses at Risk? An Osteoclast Perspective

Vergara-Hernandez

Nielsen

Colbath

2022

Animals

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Osteoclasts are unique and vital bone cells involved in bone turnover. These cells are active throughout the individual’s life and play an intricate role in growth and remodeling. However, extra-label bisphosphonate use may impair osteoclast function, which could result in skeletal microdamage and impaired healing without commonly associated pain, affecting bone remodeling, fracture healing, and growth. These effects could be heightened when administered to growing and exercising animals. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are unevenly distributed in the skeleton; blood supply and bone turnover rate determine BPs uptake in bone. Currently, there is a critical gap in scientific knowledge surrounding the biological impacts of BP use in exercising animals under two years old. This may have significant welfare ramifications for growing and exercising equids. Therefore, future research should investigate the effects of these drugs on skeletally immature horses.

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“…Bisphosphonates have reported effects on bone turnover and therefore may have therapeutic effects to alter the remodeling phase in certain types of bone pathology. Clodronate and tiludronate have been approved in the USA for treatment of navicular disease in the horse [96]. Tiludronate has been reported to improve flexibility in horses with clinical and radiographic findings suggestive of OA of the APJ within the thoracolumbar region [97].…”

Section: Bisphosphonatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment

Story

Haussler

Nout‐Lomas

et al. 2021

Animals

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Interest in the cervical spine as a cause of pain or dysfunction is increasingly becoming the focus of many equine practitioners. Many affected horses are presented for poor performance, while others will present with dramatic, sometimes dangerous behavior. Understanding and distinguishing the different types of neck pain is a starting point to comprehending how the clinical presentations can vary so greatly. There are many steps needed to systematically evaluate the various tissues of the cervical spine to determine which components are contributing to cervical pain and dysfunction. Osseous structures, soft tissues and the central and the peripheral nervous system may all play a role in these various clinical presentations. After completing the clinical evaluation, several imaging modalities may be implemented to help determine the underlying pathologic processes. There are multiple treatment options available and each must be carefully chosen for an individual horse. Provided is a synopsis of the current knowledge as to different disease processes that can result in cervical pain and dysfunction, diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. Improving the knowledge in these areas will ideally help to return horses to a state of well-being that can be maintained over time and through the rigors of their job or athletic endeavors.

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Science‐in‐brief: Bisphosphonate use in the racehorse: Safe or unsafe?

Cited by 14 publications

References 35 publications

Characteristics of complete tibial fractures in California racehorses

Characteristics of complete tibial fractures in California racehorses

Is the Use of Bisphosphonates Putting Horses at Risk? An Osteoclast Perspective

Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment

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