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An Introduction To Equine Pain Relief & Anti-inflammatory Remedies

By Anthony Johnson


There is a wide range of different remedies that are available for horses. There is a lot of choice when it comes to choosing equine pain relief & anti-inflammatory products.

The different types which are available include agonist remedies and anti-inflammatory drugs. There has been a vast amount of research carried out over the past few years and this research has been carried out by veterinary professionals. Veterinary professionals have a vast amount of experience using the the various different types of painkillers and this has given them a good idea of what works the best.

In 2011 there was a presentation delivered at the University of Colorado State in Las Vegas. The presentation was given at the Western Veterinary Conference and involved a vast discussion regarding the different types of pain relief which are available for horses.

Non steroid anti-inflammatory remedies have be used for many years to treat pain in horses. The most commonly used drugs include phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumie. For many years these drugs have been used successfully to treat conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, eye pain and gastrointestinal pain. Although these are the main drugs that are used from this category there is some vets who will also use carprofen and ketoprofen.

Non steroid drugs that are applied topically tend to be effective when used for treating inflammation and localised pain without giving side effects. Research that was carried out revealed that seventy four per cent of horses who were given this type of medication saw significant decrease in lameness and increase in level of mobility.

It is common practice for drugs to be clumped together into groups, however all drugs are different. All drugs are produced using a unique composition of chemicals there no drugs are the same even although they may be in the same group. Each drug will have a certain level at which it becomes toxic. Toxicity tends to happen when a horse is administered too much medication or it is given over a long period of time, when not suitable for long term use. Toxicity can lead to a range of problems including live damage, kidney damage and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Patients who are undergoing neonatal care are more susceptible to the side effects.

Another classification for drugs is the opioids, although this class will not necessary have an analgesic action on the horse. Research has found that there is mixed reviews about the efficacy that these drugs have had on horses. Veterinary professionals often use opioid drugs such as butorphanol and morphine as well as sedatives and tranquillisers. These drugs are thought to be most useful when you are working around the hind legs as this seems to minimise the risk of the horse kicking.

Some research has shown that this type of drug can be used as a painkiller over a short period of time. These drugs are not suitable for using over a long period of time as they can lead to a number of problems including arousal and gastrointestinal stasis. Research has found that these drugs will work best when they get given epidurally and they will start to work within about twenty minutes.




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