Therapeutics of musculoskeletal disease in the horse

Treatment of diseases involving the musculoskeletal system of horses occupi es a great deal of the equine veterinarian's time. Although pharmacological therapies of some of these conditions are Limited, there are many diseases for which therapeutic agents abound. For example, numerous prescription me dications and nutritional supplements are available for the treatment of os teoarthritis in horses. The mechanism(s) of action and degree of efficacy f or many of these agents, however are not well defined. Although few infecti ous diseases diffusely infect the musculoskeletal system, agents such as bo tulism and tetanus, which manifest primarily as signs of musculoskeletal we akness or paralysis, require appropriate antibiotic treatment as an integra l part of therapy. Localized infections such as muscle abscesses and osteom yelitis, which are not uncommon in horses, also can require aggressive anti biotic therapy. Finally, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is one of the few inherited conditions for which extremely effective therapeutic agents exist . It is important that equine veterinarians understand the appropriate indi cations and use of therapeutic medications in order to maximize their effec tiveness.