Main Research Findings

Tiludronate has shown potential efficacy in treating navicular syndrome in horses. 2 reported that over 80% of horses treated with tiludronate showed improvement in lameness within a year. Furthermore, one year after treatment, 69% of racehorses were still competing, and 82% of them were competing at the same or a higher level.

Tiludronate has also been used in treating osteoporosis and Paget's disease in humans. 6 and 5 have shown that tiludronate can improve symptoms in these conditions.

Reasons for Side Effects

Tiludronate is a medication that affects bone metabolism. Therefore, it can cause side effects related to bones. 4 suggests that tiludronate can induce inflammation in bone tissue. Additionally, tiludronate can put stress on the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney dysfunction or failure. 3 recommends assessing kidney function before and after treatment with tiludronate.

Common Side Effects

Colic

The most common side effect of tiludronate is colic. 3 reported that 0.9% of horses experienced colic.

Muscle Fasciculations

Muscle fasciculations have also been reported as a side effect of tiludronate. 3 recommends measuring plasma electrolyte concentrations if muscle fasciculations occur.

Managing Side Effects

Colic

If colic occurs, management strategies such as hand walking and administering pain relief may be necessary. 3 recommends using medications like N-butylscopolamine, xylazine, detomidine, or butorphanol alone or in combination to treat colic.

Muscle Fasciculations

If muscle fasciculations occur, it is essential to measure plasma electrolyte concentrations and provide fluid therapy if necessary. 3 suggests measuring plasma electrolyte concentrations to address muscle fasciculations.

Comparison Between Studies

Commonalities

Multiple studies have indicated that tiludronate could be effective in treating navicular syndrome in horses. 2 and 3 have shown the potential benefits of tiludronate for navicular syndrome.

Differences

2 suggests that tiludronate is effective for treating navicular syndrome in horses. However, 3 recommends assessing kidney function before and after tiludronate administration because it can put stress on kidneys. Additionally, 3 advises against administering tiludronate alongside non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other nephrotoxic drugs.

Considerations for Real-World Applications

Although tiludronate may be beneficial for treating navicular syndrome in horses, it can potentially worsen kidney function. Therefore, it should be used cautiously and under the guidance of a veterinarian. 3 suggests assessing kidney function before administering tiludronate. Also, tiludronate should not be used concurrently with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other nephrotoxic drugs. 3 recommends avoiding the combination of tiludronate with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other nephrotoxic drugs.

Limitations of Current Research

There is still a lack of sufficient research on the use of tiludronate in horses. Particularly, further research is needed to investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of tiludronate. 2 highlights the need for more research on the long-term safety and efficacy of tiludronate.

Future Research Directions

Future research on tiludronate administration in horses should focus on long-term safety and efficacy, determining optimal dosages and treatment durations, and investigating its use in combination with other medications. 2 calls for research on long-term safety and efficacy of tiludronate, optimal dosages and treatment durations, and its use in combination with other medications.

Conclusion

While tiludronate may be a potential treatment option for navicular syndrome in horses, it should be used with caution due to its possible impact on kidney function. The research on the safety and efficacy of tiludronate in horses is still limited. Future research should focus on long-term safety and efficacy, optimal dosages and treatment durations, and its use in combination with other medications.