Devils claw??

[09rebel99]

Hi Guys,

My 22 year old had arthiritic changes in his hocks when he was 13. The vet put him on Corta vet which he stayed on for maybe 2 years. I then just put him on Corta flex because at the time you could only get corta vet off the vet.
Any way he is still on corta flex and I went to get him some devils claw as this was in the corta vet he use to have but some people say they wouldn't touch it. I was just wondering why??
Is devils claw bad for them? I have just spent a fortune on the stuff!!

Thanks.

[heathera]

I've used Devils' claw loads over the years and never had a problem. I know you shouldn't give it to pregnant mares but I don't know why.

I use it in arthritic ponies or those who've had an oopsie and are stiff and a bit sore. They gobble it down with relish so I think they know it helps.

I use a product called Zerobute which has other things in it as well.

[harveydales]

I've also used it frequently in the past.Hard to know whether it helped or not but I've never experienced any adverse effects with it. I think some people say it can cause increase stomach acid and so lead to ulcers in the same way Bute can but I believe this has been found to be an exagerated claim. Also there is concern because it hasn't gone through rigerous testing in the way normal medication does.