Advanced Therapies

Blue Ridge Equine Advanced Therapies

IRAP – (Interleukin receptor antagonist protein) it is a somewhat new treatment for arthritis in horses and in humans. Interleukins are compounds in joints largely responsible for the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. IRAP decreases joint pain by interfering with the activity of Interleukin 1 and similar compounds. For the procedure, you obtain a large syringe of blood. The syringe you pull the blood into has hundreds of glass balls that have been exposed to a certain gas that favors the “IRAP” and helps amplify it. Once the blood is obtained, it is incubated overnight and then spun in a centrifuge to separate the serum from the other components. This serum is rich in IRAP and once passed through a filter, is injected directly into the desired joint. Extra serum is frozen for subsequent treatments. Typically, a series of 3-4 injections are performed 1-2 week apart to treat 1 affected joint. For more information on IRAP go to www.arthrexvetsystems.com/en/products/brochures/upload/IRAP-II-VLB0010A.pdf

Stem Cell therapy is a newly available regenerative medicine and treatment that uses stem cells to repair injured or damaged tissues. Stem cells can be collected from the horses own bone marrow or be embryonically. derived. These cells are then used to treat a variety of conditions, including tendonitis, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, mensical injuries etc. Stem cells can either be directly injected directly into the site of the area that requires treatment, and develop into new cells of the desired tissue type to help in repair. Alternatively, there have been some recent report of using stem cells in a regional perfusion with very good results. For more information on stem cells in horses go to www.medcell.eu/vetcell/technology/ms_eq.aspx or www.celavet.com

Tildren® is a drug that has been available in Europe for many years to treat navicular disease and has recently become available in the United States to veterinarians who go through special licensure. It is similar to drugs used to treat osteoporosis in people. The activity of the cells that cause the destructive changes (osteoclasts) we see on X-rays with navicular disease is suppressed. Apparently the activity of these cells is very painful and by reducing their activity, many horses become much more comfortable. Tildren can be given systemically in a large vein using a catheter or in and individual leg using regional perfusion. Generally in 2-4 weeks the benefits are beginning to be realized and the duration of the effects seems variable.

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PRP (platelet rich plasma) is one of the latest cutting edge treatment options that can be used to jump-start the healing cascade and accelerate tissue regeneration in skin, soft tissue, and bone by stimulating growth factors. These growth factors have been shown to stimulate tendon and ligament healing. The enhanced healing response on a cellular and molecular level may ultimately improve the quality of repair, improve the prognosis for return to performance, and decrease the incidence of re-injury. Blood is collected from the horse and processed using either centrifugation or a special filter to concentrate the platelets. The platelet rich suspension is then injected back it into the damaged tissue. For more information on PRP on horses go to www.medcell.eu/vetcell/technology/acelere_fprp_system.aspx