NSAIDs for horses: 3 types of equine anti-inflammatory drugs

Equine NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are one of the medications your veterinarian may decide you need to have on hand in case of an emergency.

NSAIDs work by inhibiting certain enzymes that play a role in feeling pain in the presence of inflammation or infection. Reducing the action of some of these enzymes is the primary purpose of NSAIDs to stop or reduce pain pathways.

3 types of anti-inflammatories for horses

1. Flunixin Meglumine (Banamine)

Banamine is the generic name for the drug flunixin meglumine. This FDA-approved NSAID prescription drug is typically used for its antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties.

Banamine is better suited for internal pain and inflammation associated with colic. This is a medication commonly prescribed by veterinarians for horse owners to have on hand in case of an emergency.

If your horse is showing signs of colic, it may take an hour or more for the traveling equine veterinarian to arrive or for you to load your horse into the trailer and arrive at the clinic. At this point, Banamine can begin working to make your horse more comfortable.

Banamine is usually included injectable or paste form. Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding administration. If your horse is “blowing out” (appearing to be in more pain) after taking Banamine, this is an indication that the condition may be more severe. If this happens, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Although some bottles may have these instructions, Banamine should not be administered intramuscularly (IM). It can cause tissue damage, muscle necrosis (death), and severe bacterial infections such as clostridial myositis.

The paste form of this medication usually has a sized weight dial to indicate the appropriate dosage.

2. Phenylbutazone (Bute)

Phenylbutazone, commonly called Bute, is also a frequently used equine anti-inflammatory drug.

Butte is a prescription drug approved by the FDA to help treat musculoskeletal pain, including the following conditions:

Phenylbutazone is available as injectable, powdertablet, and paste. Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding dosing, as potential dosages vary widely depending on the size of the horse and the horse’s condition.

Veterinarians often prescribe a paste or powder form that is easiest to administer so that it is on hand in an emergency. For similar reasons to banamine, injectables should never be administered intramuscularly (IM).

3. Firocoxib (Equiox)

Firocoxib, or Equioxx, is an FDA-approved equine prescription drug that helps treat pain and inflammation and may be prescribed over phenylbutazone or banamine for horses needing long-term pain relief, such as: .

• arthritis

• Laminitis

• Joint sepsis or fever, especially in foals (Equiox is less taxing on stunted kidneys and intestinal systems, which are already prone to ulcers).

Equioxx usually enters tablet or paste form.

How to administer NSAIDs to horses

At home, horse owners typically administer NSAIDs orally.

It’s important not to give your horse any new medications, start any medications, or change his daily medication regimen without first consulting with your veterinarian.

Here’s how to administer pastes, powders, tablets, liquids, or drops to your horse.

Administration of paste

These drugs can be administered as follows: Deworming agent. Once you are sure the dosing dial is set to administer the correct amount, place the tip of the syringe into your horse’s mouth and push the plunger toward the back of his throat.

Powder management

Powders are often mixed into the horse’s daily grain. In some cases, adding a little water to the grain will help the powder stick better to the feed bucket instead of falling to the bottom.

For picky eaters, the powder can be mixed into a small amount of applesauce or mixed with water to form a paste and injected orally.

Other options include adding a small amount of syrup or other “sweetener” that you mix into the water or food to cover the flavor.

Tablet medication management

Equioxx is sold in the form of small tablets, and many horses take a tablet daily when mixed with their feed. However, tablets are so small that they can be dropped and not swallowed.

A good way to ensure your horse receives his daily dose is to hand-feed the tablets with a small amount of grain before feeding him the rest of his diet.

If the tablets are large or your horse requires more than one tablet, some medications may be able to be crushed and administered like a powdered medication.

Some antibiotics and other medications can be harmful to your horse or lose their effectiveness if they break down before administration, so consult your veterinarian before crushing any medications to your horse. Please.

There are also some tablet treats available on the market. You can easily give your horse’s medication by hiding it in a treat to ensure your horse takes the tablets.

Administering liquid drugs

The liquid is drawn from the bottle using a syringe and needle to the appropriate prescribed volume. Once you have drawn up the medicine, put the cap on and remove the needle from the syringe. Make sure you follow your state’s laws regarding proper needle disposal. It is then made into a paste and administered orally.

Administration of injection drugs

Intravenous injections should only be administered by a veterinarian or under the direct supervision of a trained professional.

The arteries and veins in the horse’s neck directly overlapped. coincidental Intra-arterial administration of equine NSAIDs causes immediate seizures. The horse can flip backwards and become uncontrollable, greatly increasing the likelihood of trauma to the neck and limbs. These symptoms often last only a few minutes, but there is a high risk of more permanent damage.

Potential problems with long-term use of NSAIDs

NSAIDs can: This can limit the amount of time your horse can take these medications because they interfere with the useful functions of the kidneys and gastrointestinal (GI) system.

For example, horses receiving NSAIDs for long periods of time may experience ulcers during the course of anti-inflammatory treatment. In addition to NSAIDs, your veterinarian may also prescribe gastroprotectants such as: gastro guard, sucralfateUse a supplement such as Purina Outlast, especially if your horse is prone to gastrointestinal ulcers.

If your horse is in pain, contact your veterinarian immediately. NSAIDs can be harmful in some situations, so don’t start medicating your horse without guidance.

When used properly, NSAIDs can provide significant pain relief and daily comfort to aging and chronically painful horses.