An article recently published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported on a research study using zoledronate to treat horses with a bone fragility disorder. The research took place at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis.
Treating bone fragility disorder in horses
The uncontrolled clinical trials assessed clincial outcomes and scintigraphic findings in ten horses with evidence of bone fragility disorder (BFD) when treated with zoledronate.
The uncontrolled clinical trials assessed clincial outcomes and scintigraphic findings (a diagnostic test in which a two-dimensional picture of a body radiation source is obtained through the use of radioisotopes) in ten horses with evidence of bone fragility disorder (BFD) when treated with zoledronate, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate.
Diagnosis of a BFD was made on the basis of results of clinical and scintigraphic examination. Each horse was treated with zoledronate (0.075 mg/kg [0.034 mg/lb, IV, once]) at the time of diagnosis.
Six months after treatment, clinical improvement which was defined as improvement in the lameness score, resolution of signs of musculoskeletal pain, or both was detected in nine of the ten horses.
Scintigraphic uptake was unchanged in two of the horses but subjectively decreased in eight horses. No adverse effects attributed to zoledronate treatment were detected.
Treatment with zoledronate appeared to be useful in improving clinical outcome and scintigraphic findings in horses with a BFD; however, researchers reported that future placebo-controlled studies would be necessary to accurately determine efficacy and long-term safety.