Calcium Deposits / Bone Spurs
Definition
A
calcium deposit or bone spur accumulates from improper bone remodeling
where calcium can not be used correctly for bone turnover and collects
on top of the bone or on surrounding tissues. We attribute this process
to hypercalcemia, or too much calcium in the bloodstream in relation to
Vitamin D, Phosphorus and other supporting minerals that are
responsible for Calcium absorption and Calcium solubility (converting
Calcium from a solid to the liquid state it needs to be in for proper
utilization).
Causes
Diets providing a
vitamin/mineral imbalance where calcium is out of balance with the
nutrients needed for proper utilization is likely the main cause for
most calcium deposits. Diets too high in Vitamin D and/or calcium
relative to some of the other nutrients in the bloodstream will create
difficulty for the body to convert calcium into its liquid state and
will likely gradually accumulate on a specific area, getting larger over
time. Trauma to the area may also increase the need for calcium (this
is why we see calcium deposits in/around joints more than anywhere else -
the energy from walking/running is transferred to a specific area and
the body attempts to build the area up by asking the body for more
calcium - and the body is responding, it just can't use the calcium
correctly).
Calcium Deposit Indicators
Calcium
deposits and bone spurs can be difficult to detect from a lameness
standpoint because their location may vary. These horses sometimes show
no symptoms at all. It may be possible to detect a calcium deposit on
the bone due to an odd shape or lump. If the calcium deposit is in the
joint, the limb may limit the horses range of movement.
Treatment Options
Treatment
options are currently limited for addressing Calcium deposits and bone
spurs. Most approaches typically result in little to no structural
progress in either halting or reversing these issues, but rather
approaches toward increasing the horses comfort and ability to cope with
any pain have emerged - however, these are only temporary and
eventually the calcification will grow to the point where these
conventional methods are no longer effective.
Exercise
Horses
exhibiting signs of lameness need a work schedule that is less
intense. Their conditioning can be maintained by slow long-distance
work or swimming, as opposed to being worked at high speeds, up steep
hills, on hard surfaces, irregular terrain or deep footing. Reducing
the frequency of high impact exercise is important as well.
Surgery
Surgical
removal of calcium deposits and bone spurs is a possibility, however
you will likely have a relapse if the dietary factors are not
corrected. Most vets will agree that the body will view the surgery as
trauma to the bone and start the whole process over again, negating any
positive result from the surgical procedure, itself.
TLC's Equi-Bone
Give
TLC's Equi-Bone to improve calcium solubility. Assuring conversion of
calcium to its proper liquid state means that the mineral is available
to be absorbed by the bone, rather than collecting on top of it. Over
time there may be an effect on any pre-existing accumulations,
dissolving excess calcium.
Dietary Changes
We
typically make some dietary adjustments for horses with calcium deposit
problems. Since hypercalcemia is responsible for producing the problem,
we typically try to eliminate Vitamin D3 and supplemental calcium from
the diet. To start with reducing or eliminating alfalfa hay, which
delivers almost entirely calcium and not enough other nutrients to
balance out the high calcium content, switching to grass hay can really
help us get the calcium:phosphorus ratio back in check.
Also since 1lb of commercial grain (i.e. purina strategy, omolene, etc…) generally contains about 5,000mg of calcium and unecessary Vitamin D(horses are outdoor animals and should get all the Vitamin D they need from the sun), it is a good idea to replace this grain source with an unfortified vitamin/mineral source. This could be oats, beet pulp, corn, rice bran, etc. See our Feeding Suggestions page at the bottom of our home page for recipes.
Life After Treatment
After you have achieved success on the loading phase of the
Equi-Bone program it is important to continue producing the same effect
moving forward. This helps to ensure that we work to keep the Calcium
solubility properties in check so that calcium is properly converted
to its liquid and most usable form and lessens the likelihood of future
accumulations and relapses developing. To do this it is recommended that you feed the maintenance amount of Equi-Bone, which is 1 scoop, 2 times daily.