Comparison of the effect of Zeel® ad us. vet. in lameness of horses caused by non-infectious arthropathy to the effect of hyaluronic acid

In a controlled, randomised and blinded study therapeutic equivalence and safety of Zeel((R)) ad us. vet. was evaluated in the treatment of non-infectious arthropathy in horses as compared to the administration of a veterinary medicinal product containing the active ingredient hyaluronic acid. Both products were administered intravenously. The evaluation of the lameness caused by non-infectious arthropathy was done using a score for clinical lameness before and after flexion tests. The eligible horses were randomised to one of the two treatment groups by a separate person (blinding) and were treated by this person either with either 6 x 10 ml Zeel((R)) ad us. vet. (Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden) or 2 x 4 ml Hyonate((R)) (Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen). Re-evaluations were done on day 7, day 14 and finally on day 21. On day 21 the global assessment of the efficacy and safety was done also. Both groups were statistically compared for non-inferiority. Zeel((R)) ad us. vet. was statistically equivalent (non-inferior) to the control group at all time points. In both groups, lameness scores reduced over the study period. More than 50 % of the horses were free of lameness and were assessed as very good on the global assessment score. 17 % of the animals of the Zeel((R)) group and 27 % of the control group did not show any changes compared to the day of enrolment. Both products were safe as no adverse events were observed. As published by other authors, Zeel((R)) ad us. vet. had good efficacy in the treatment of non-infectious arthropathy. However, the low number of cases per joint did not allow for a statistical evaluation for the different joints involved in this study. The onset of the efficacy of Zeel((R)) ad us. vet. seems to be slightly delayed compared to the reference product. Therefore therapy should be applied for a sufficient duration. Zeel((R)) ad us. vet. proved to be equivalent to the reference product Hyonate((R)) containing hyaluronic acid. It is very safe and is therefore highly recommendable for the treatment of horses with non-infectious arthropathy.