Equine veterinarians now have an important new tool to help them manage navicular syndrome in patients. Tildren (tiludronate disodium), a novel product that has been available in some international markets for more than 12 years, has now been approved by the Food & Drug Administration and will be available to U.S. veterinarians.

With the recent FDA approval, Ceva Animal Health will begin selling Tildren in the U.S. in early December. Approved to control clinical signs associated with navicular syndrome in horses, Tildren will be available for veterinarians to purchase through national distribution channels.

"Navicular syndrome is the most common cause of chronic forelimb lameness in horses," Steve Hoffman, vice president of Ceva's Equine Business Unit, said. "The approval of Tildren by FDA provides veterinarians and horse owners an excellent new tool for managing navicular syndrome."

The primary action of Tildren is to regulate osteoclasts in areas of excessive activity. In navicular syndrome, excessive mechanical stress results in bone resorption outpacing bone formation. Tildren works at areas of active bone resorption, restoring balance to the process of bone remodeling.