Alpha-2-macroglobulin is a large protein that circulates in the bloodstream of our horses. Its job is to bind inflammatory enzymes and remove them from the site of injury.

At Oakhill, we have invested in a special centrifuge which enables us to collect blood from your horse and create a concentrated plasma full of this anti-inflammatory protein. This plasma can then be injected into joints in cases of osteoarthritis and can even be used to treat soft tissue injuries too. Wherever there is inflammation this substance can be safely injected into the area, without the risk of laminitis which is often a concern related to the use of corticosteroids in horses.

There is no withdrawal time from competition to worry about either, and often no need for long periods out of ridden exercise depending on the underlying issue being treated.

This procedure takes around four hours to be performed so can be done at the clinic on a half-day appointment.

We have seen zero side effects related to the use of this product to date. The great news is that surplus plasma can also be frozen to be used at a later date (within a year). We are happy to store it in a sterile manner at Oakhill. If you are interested in finding out more about alpha-2-macroglobulin plasma for the treatment of joint disease, please do not hesitate to give one of our lameness vets a call.