Pentosan Success Stories and Opinions Please?

I'm interested in Pentosan for my two horses. >>

Casper is my new horse, an Appendix that is used for hunter/jumper. He has DJD or something like that in his right front fetlock. It was injected this past December, but he still has grade 1 lameness when flexed or lunged. It was recommended on here that I use Adequan, but that's so expensive, and then someone suggested Pentosan, which seems much more affordable. I want this horse to be healthy and happy for a few years at least while I am milking him for all he's worth (he's teaching me!).

...and then there's Rusty, a case that seems pretty hopeless but I'm always looking for new avenues. In an accident, he fractured the top part of his tibia, the lateral malleolus, and there are bone chips in his hock. Apparently arthritis has set in quick, and the vets at the university think that it will be surprising if he's ever ridden again. Basically, they said there's really nothing I can do. But the thing is, he's walked and trotted and cantered on that leg with minimal lameness. I bought Casper to replace Rusty as my jumping partner, but if I could have them both...oh, that'd be nice. :) Wishful thinking probably, but nice.

Anyway, what do you guys all have for pentosan stories or opinions? They'd be greatly appreciated. Also, maybe advice on these cases, although I have started too many posts and threads about Rusty already. In any case, I'm having my vet look at Casper's xrays (even though we did a PPE and everything before we bought him), and am waiting the 6 months to re-xray Rusty.

Me!!! Subbing! Ill respond with more when I get onto my computer!
Posted via Mobile Device

Okay, Here is my take on Pentosan. I absolutely LOVE this stuff. It has been a miracle drug for my mare and I'm very very thankful to have found it.

My mare is 5 years old. Was kicked in a well placed area on her hock. She was completely 3 legged lame, 5/5 on the lameness scale. Not able to place any weight on her leg what-so-ever.

She developed cellulitis, the leg exploded size wise. She contracted a bacterial infection. Was on antibiotics for 6 weeks with minimal improvement. The bacteria was pushed into the joint and we ended up having to do joint flushes to clear out the bacteria. During the flush, we diluted her joint fluid is a very severe fashion.

She was still very lame but slowly improving over the 2 months we dealt with this. We've had XRays done, and basically, after the bacteria got into the joint, it ate away her a chuck of her bone. So we are dealing with osteoarthritis. Or...Arthritis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgzSxVGgA0Y
This video is after 4 days of a stall rest. The 2nd day after she placed weight on this leg again. As was able to slowly limp around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRUVzorJ-hE
This is in October, about 6 weeks after the injury. Still limping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-sy-Mahikg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGcEc_M5fPs

These two are in December, after approximately 5 Pentosan injections. She has come a LONG way. I'm so incredibly happy.

She still has hock swelling, is still healing. I fear she'll always have some swelling in her hock. It gets worse when it's cold and you can tell she's just a little stiff but overall, my experience has been very good.

I gave the first Pentosan injection when Rumor got her 2nd joint flush. After the first flush, a sample was taken and the joint fluid was not sticky at all. It's supposed to be a syrupy consistency...Where if you put some on your fingers and then pull your fingers apart a 1-1/2 to 2 inch "string" should be between your fingers before breaking away. Rumor had NO string. It was like touching water. 1 week later, another sample was taken, she already had a 1 inch "string" of joint fluid that had built back up. In just ONE week. Amazing.

My Pentosan schedule was one 12ml shot every week for 4 weeks. (Loading doses) And then I went to one 6ml shot every 2 weeks. So now I'm only giving Rumor 2 shots a month. And that was because of how severe her case was. I pay $19 per shot. When I looked into Adequan, it was $42 a shot. I've also read numerous studies that say Pentosan works better then Adequan.

I was going to go with Adequan until my vet found the Pentosan. For one, it's cheaper. And two, it has anti-inflammitory properties in it, which Rumor needed due to the swelling of her hock.

Just before the cold weather hit us, I could hardly tell Rumor had ANY swelling in her leg what-so-ever.

I have 2 other horses that will be put on Pentosan before show season starts in the spring. My mom's barrel horse. And my Paint mare. Although she is bred right now, and I may have to hold off because I do not know what Pentosan will do to a fetus or a lactating mare. But eventually, I'll have 3 horses on it.

I also have Back On Track Hock Wraps for Rumor. Those seem to be doing a wonderful job and they are extremely well made and holding up better then I ever expected. I'd look into some of their products too...