@morganpony86 has it correct. Bisphosphonates are known to damage to bones, mainly femurs, and slow healing of jawbones post oral surgery. However, I don’t believe any are pulled from market (Fosomax, Boniva), just additional warnings given. And yes, they cause upset stomach in humans, too.
I have wondered if Osphos is behind the Santa Anita racetrack deaths – used on growing colts and maybe a sticky track because of the rain…
All these drugs are a trade-off…
Bisphosphonates can cause problems healing bones in humans, too. Bramlage recently spoke to several human surgeons about patients who are unlucky enough to break a bone after they’ve been on bisphosphonates to prevent osteoporosis.
“If you break your femur, which is a common injury of patients on bisphosphonates, in a normal case they make you non-weight bearing for six weeks. They’d give you crutches and a walker for six weeks. At about three months, you can be weight bearing again,” he said. “If you’ve had bisphosphonates they’ll make you non-weight bearing for up to eight months because that’s how much it slows healing in people.”
All of this seems to Bramlage like a poor trade-off for a pain-relieving effect that probably wears off in about 30 days. (Bisphosphonates are shown to attach to the bone’s surface after administration and persist for years even after just one dose. Repeated doses cause cumulative levels on the interior surfaces of the bones.) Bramlage said it’s important to note that because of the drug’s long life on bone surfaces, a trainer currently in possession of a horse may not be the one who originally gave the horse bisphosphonates and may not even know the horse has been exposed to the drug.
If you will tread, tread lightly and cautiously.
It is a trade-off also, when given a diagnosis, to choose not to use whatever drugs are indicated.
That is why vets (and Drs) go to school for so many years and keep up with continuing education protocols.
They are the ones that know what in all those trade-offs make sense in each situation.
The rest of us, armchair quarterbacks at best.
Trying to second guess them, when we don’t have their knowledge and experience to use proper context to understand what all is involved?
If someone doesn’t trust their vet (or Dr), they would do best to find another.
Have used it several times for our horse with known bony issues and it has absolutely kept him sound. Most of the issues that are showing up are related to race trainers using it in young horses to improve soundness temporarily. It is now not recommended for horses younger than 4. Our horse benefits greatly from it, and we are using it for the on label approved reasons.
i had good luck with Osphos for Pedal Osteitis. I hope you do too.
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