Veterinary 2025 Guide: NexHA® (Hyaluronate Sodium) for Equine Joint Support 🐎🩺

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. In this 2025 guide, we examine NexHA® — a sterile, pyrogen‑free injectable sodium hyaluronate used in horses to treat non‑infectious synovitis of the carpal and fetlock joints. We'll cover its mechanism, dosing protocol, safety profile, side effects, monitoring, and how to effectively communicate care instructions, including the use of Ask A Vet tools 😊.

🔍 1. What Is NexHA®?

NexHA® is a purified form of hyaluronate sodium, a natural glycosaminoglycan found in joint fluid and connective tissues. Manufactured from bacterial fermentation, it helps restore viscoelasticity and lubrication in inflamed equine joints and may also reduce joint inflammation by limiting leukocyte activity :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🎯 2. Indications

• FDA‑approved for treating non‑infectious synovitis in the carpal or fetlock joints caused by osteoarthritis :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Safe to use alongside other joint therapies.

📅 3. Dosing & Administration

• Administer via slow IV injection into the jugular vein: **4 mL (40 mg)** weekly for a total of three doses :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Though intra-articular use is possible in some regions, the U.S. label specifies only IV administration :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Maintain aseptic technique and ensure horses have stall rest after treatment, gradually resuming normal exercise :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

⚙️ 4. Mechanism of Action

NexHA® replenishes joint lubrication and helps regulate cellular functions to reduce inflammatory processes and enzyme-mediated damage in joints :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

⚠️ 5. Safety & Side Effects

• Well tolerated in clinical and field studies—even at doses up to 5× the label amount (9 weeks)—with no systemic adverse effects on blood or biochemistry :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Post-approval adverse events have been rare and include transient depression, lethargy, or fever :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• There are no known contraindications. Safety in breeding stallions, pregnant, or lactating mares has not been established :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🧪 6. Monitoring & Follow-Up

• Observe horses post-injection for signs of malaise or fever.
• Monitor lameness scores and joint swelling across the treatment course.
• Perform baseline diagnostic imaging for acute lameness to rule out fractures or infection before treatment :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

📣 7. Owner Communication & Care Instructions

• Explain NexHA® is administered via IV for joint inflammation and lubrication support.
• Advise on required stall rest after treatments and gradual return to normal exercise.
• Highlight that the injectable is veterinary-use only and not for horses used for human consumption :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Encourage logging of clinical signs and treatment reminders using the Ask A Vet app to improve monitoring and compliance 😊.

📌 8. 2025 Vet Takeaways

• NexHA® is an affordable, bioequivalent substitute to Legend®, offering a triple-IV dosage protocol for joint support.
• It is safe, minimally reactive, and suitable for most horses with non-infectious synovitis.
• Dosage guidelines include weekly IV injections for three weeks, with rest and monitoring.
• Side effects are typically mild and transient—educate owners on what to observe.
• Use Ask A Vet tools for shared treatment tracking, symptom logging, and better client communication 😊.

At Ask A Vet, we support your equine practice with treatment trackers, stall-rest reminders, symptom logs, and 24/7 veterinary messaging to support successful foot and joint care. Encourage owners to download our app for deeper care and confidence ❤️