Epiphysitis and IR connection?

[sketcher]

Does anyone have any thoughts or knowledge about this?

I have a young mare who had physitis as a foal, who has turned out bench kneed despite a well balanced diet and who I now believe to be IR - she is not even 4 yet. I'll be having the vet do some blood work but am curious about the following.

My question is, does anyone know of a link between both conditions. Is there any published research to satisfy my curiosity ? It seems they are both metabolic issues, it doesn't seem like it would be a stretch that they could be related.

[sketcher]

Ok, maybe too much out in left field. Let me rephrase.

I've seen reference to metabolic bone disease, osteochondritis and epiphysitis al being variations or expressions of DOD.

So, my filly had physitis as a foal. She now appears to possibly be IR, I'll know when she is tested.

Is there a link to the to metobolic disorders? Is DOD metabolic?

[Katy Watts]

http://www.ker.com/library/advances/248.pdf

[sketcher]

Thank you!

It seems like there would be more hard core research. I guess I'd have to go to the university and look.

[matryoshka]

My warmblood (now 15 yo) had epiphysitis as a yearling, which led to him toeing out a bit. I was feeding him incorrectly. Once I altered his feed, he got better, though his conformation was permanently affected.

Now I do believe he's IR, but I have been very careful with his diet for years and he is not fat. If I let him get a bit heavy, his feet get ouchy, even though he'd always been WTC sound on gravel barefoot. He seems to be getting more sensitive each year.

Years ago my farrier was talking about too much sugar in the diet possibly causing epiphysitis in youngsters.

[JB]

Really interesting article, thanks.

My WB gelding had epiph when I got him at about 6 months - being fed 6+lb of Equine Jr, and due to being away from home for his keuring and some subsequent training, was on limited turnout for about 3-4 weeks IIRC.

A quick drop of the EJ and the addition of a mineral supplement quickly remedied the situation.

He's grown up into a VERY easy keeper, but so far nothing says IR. He'll be 12 in March (OMG!!) for what that's worth.

It has indeed been known for at least these 12 years that high-starch diets can bring on physitis, as well as general mineral imbalances.