Arthritis can be quite painful in horses, and athletes are especially prone to the development of this condition. Pain is caused by the destruction of cartilage (spongy layer) in the joint. As this layer is traumatized, chemicals called cytokines are released within the joint, which further destroys the cartilage – Interleukin-1 is one of these cytokines.
IRAP was developed to block interleukin-1 from binding to cartilage cells thereby slowing down the process of arthritis. These blocking products are called antagonist proteins, specifically interleukin-1 antagonist protein.
IRAP is produced through a series of steps:
- Taking 50ml of blood from your horse using a specialized syringe containing beads that stimulate the production of the antagonist proteins.
- The blood is incubated for 24 hours and then the plasma, which contains the antagonist protein, is separated using a centrifuge machine.
- The plasma, which is now rich in IRAP, is then injected into the joint using sterile methods, and the unused plasma can be frozen for future use.
- The joint is injected once every 7-10 days for 3-5 sessions.
IRAP cannot reverse damage, but it can prevent further damage to the joint. Horses with synovitis and moderate arthritis are most likely to respond to this treatment. This form of joint treatment is especially appealing for horses that compete under strict drug testing regulations as the product is naturally produced by the horse and therefore has no withdrawal time.
Speak to our experienced veterinarians today to see if IRAP can benefit your horse.
