Intra-Articular Injection of Betamethasone in Arthritis in Horses

SUMMARY A preparation containing betamethasone disodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate was injected into 11 arthritic joints of 8 horses. Four of the horses were affected with degenerative joint disease, 2 with traumatic arthritis, 1 with osteochondritis dissecans, and 1 with bilateral tarsal hydrarthrosis. Serial intra-articular injections and postinjection synovial fluid analyses were performed in 2 of the horses. The betamethasone preparation was well tolerated and proved to be beneficial as a temporary, palliative, repeatable local adjunct in the management of noninflammatory joint diseases in horses.