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Topic:Medication
The topic of medication in horses encompasses the study and application of pharmaceutical substances used to treat, manage, or prevent diseases and conditions in equine patients. This field involves understanding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of various drugs, including their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in horses. Medications commonly administered to horses include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, anthelmintics, and sedatives. The appropriate use of these medications is critical for ensuring therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. Research in this area focuses on dosage optimization, drug interactions, resistance development, and withdrawal times to ensure both the health of the horse and compliance with regulatory standards. This page aggregates peer-reviewed studies and scholarly articles that explore the pharmacological aspects, clinical applications, and regulatory considerations of equine medications.
Evaluation of Recovery Time and Quality After Two Different Post-Operative Doses of Medetomidine in Spanish Purebred Horses Anaesthetized with Medetomidine-Isoflurane Partial Intravenous Anaesthesia. Recovery from general anaesthesia is risky in horses. Alpha-agonist administration after anaesthesia enhances the quality of recovery but may prolong this phase. Recovery time and quality were investigated after medetomidine administration at the end of general anaesthesia in a prospective, randomised, masked and clinical study. Horses underwent medetomidine-isoflurane partial intravenous anaesthesia. Medetomidine (0.5 or 1 µg/kg) IV was administered just after isoflurane was discontinued. The duration of different recovery phases and the number of attempts were recorded. A composite scale (f...
Investigation Into the Equine Metabolism of Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Roflumilast for Potential Doping Control. The phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors constitute a relatively modern class of medications that are known for inducing bronchodilation and exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties within the body. Due to these properties, there is concern regarding their potential misuse as performance-enhancing substances in competitive sports. This study delves into the metabolic conversion of roflumilast in thoroughbred horses following oral administration and in vitro experimentation using equine liver microsomes and Cunninghamella elegans. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q Exactiv...
Pharmacokinetics of Salbutamol in Thoroughbred Horses After a Single Intravenous or Inhaled Administration. Salbutamol is a short-acting and selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist. Inhaled (IH) administration of salbutamol is widely used to control lower respiratory tract disease in horses. Here, we estimated the pharmacokinetic parameters of salbutamol after a single intravenous (IV) or IH administration in six horses, and we statistically analysed the detection times with various dosing regimens. Plasma and urine concentrations of salbutamol were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and data were modelled by using a nonlinear mixed effect model followed by Monte Carlo simulatio...
Decreased Circulating Red Cell Mass Induced by Intravenous Acepromazine Administration Alters Viscoelastic and Traditional Plasma Coagulation Testing Results in Healthy Horses. Coagulopathy is common in equine critical illness, with its early recognition being crucial for patient management and prognosis. In vitro viscoelastic (VE) hypercoagulability with decreased RCM/PCV has been demonstrated in dogs but not horses. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of acepromazine-induced (0.1 mg/kg IV) decreased RCM on VE and plasma coagulation parameters using a prospective interventional study of eight adult horses. Complete blood count (CBC), fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), and VCM Vetâ„...
Influence of acepromazine on the cardiovascular effects of dobutamine in isoflurane-anaesthetised horses premedicated with romifidine. To explore the influence of acepromazine on the cardiovascular effects of dobutamine in isoflurane-anaesthetised horses premedicated with romifidine. Methods: Prospective randomised clinical trial. Methods: A total of 18 horses undergoing elective arthroscopy were enrolled, of which 12 horses requiring dobutamine were included. Methods: Horses were randomised to receive acepromazine 0.02 mg kg (Group A+) intravenously (IV) or none (Group A-), 35 minutes before anaesthesia. Horses received xylazine 0.2 mg kg concurrently to facilitate IV access. Horses were premedicated with romifidine 0.08 mg ...
Treatment of equine keratomycosis, part 2: reporting common systemic and ocular complications to enhance decision-making for equine clinicians and owners. The primary aims were to provide descriptive data on systemic and ocular complications associated with the treatment of equine keratomycosis. The secondary aims were to determine if complication rates differ between treatment types or are related to surgical and anesthetic factors. Methods: The study was a retrospective evaluation of 126 cases between 2004 and 2020 with confirmed fungal infection and recorded incidence of complications during hospitalization and surgical intervention if pursued. Additional information recorded included the size of the donor graft if utilized, time under genera...
Equine Doping Controls of Thymosin β $$ beta $$ 4: A Population Study and Strategy for Misuse Detection. Thymosin 4 (TB4) is a ubiquitous, highly conserved and abundant peptide among mammals with a critical role in cytoskeleton organization. In spite of its yet non-authorized use as a medicine and being forbidden by the IFHA, the FEI, and the WADA, intelligence and doping control laboratories reported numerous products available online claiming to contain a synthetic acetylated fragment of TB4 or TB4 itself, promoted as a growth factor with regenerative properties. In this article, the first estimation of the endogenous TB4 concentration in racing horses' blood samples was performed through a po...
Pharmacokinetics of Two Formulations of Altrenogest Administered to Mares. Altrenogest is a synthetic progestin that suppresses reproductive behaviours and assists pregnancy maintenance in female horses. Two formulations are available, a 'weekly' intramuscular injection and a daily oral formulation. Altrenogest administration has returned positive swabs for steroids; consequently, using injectable altrenogest in racing mares is prohibited. Oral administration may be permitted in race mares if there is one clear day between dosing and racing. The only pharmacokinetic data available were generated from geldings. Therefore, to assist veterinarians and analysts in determ...
Emerging Human Medications in Racing Animals: Analytical and Regulatory Challenges. Positive identification and reporting of therapeutic substances intended for human consumption in race-day equine and canine samples is a controversial topic. While inadvertent environmental exposure is a potential cause for the presence of these substances in race-day samples, intentional use cannot be ruled out given their therapeutic benefits. Pregabalin is widely prescribed in Australia to treat epilepsy, anxiety, and neuropathic pain in humans; however, it is also increasingly used as a recreational drug. Metformin is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes in humans. Both pregabalin and m...
Pharmacokinetics and thermal anti-nociceptive effects of oral morphine in horses. Morphine is an effective analgesic in horses, however, IV administration at therapeutic doses has been shown to produce dose-dependent neuroexcitation and unwanted gastrointestinal effects. The analgesic effects of morphine have, at least in part, been attributed to the morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) metabolite. Oral administration to horses results in comparable M6G concentrations to that achieved following IV administration of a therapeutic dose without the adverse effects. The anti-nociceptive effects have not yet been reported. In the current study the thermal anti-nociceptive effects of sin...
Evaluating the Effects of Solid-Phase Cartridge Chemistry on Extraction of Bisphosphonates and ITPP From Equine Plasma. Bisphosphonate drugs and myo-inositol trispyrophosphate are of concern to the racing industry and have been listed as prohibited substances in equine sports. The current bisphosphonate plasma screening analysis employed at the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory involves the use of sequential solid-phase extraction procedures, passing the samples through a mixed mode cartridge, followed by a weak anion exchange cartridge. The eluates collected following the second extraction are then methylated and analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Under these extraction conditions, some b...
Detection of levamisole and its metabolites in horses after oral levamisole administration over seven days. Levamisole is a regulated substance sometimes administered to racehorses to treat equine protozoal myelitis. Metabolites include compound II, aminorex, and pemoline. Aminorex and pemoline are Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority-banned substances. Previous studies have examined single doses of the drug. This study examined the disposition of levamisole after 7 days of dosing. Methods: 6 healthy Thoroughbred geldings. Methods: Horses were treated with 500 mg (approx 0.91 to 1 mg/kg) of compounded levamisole hydrochloride paste PO every 12 hours for a total of 13 doses over 7 days. Serum a...
Quantification of osilodrostat in horse urine using LC/ESI-HRMS to establish an elimination profile for doping control. The use of osilodrostat, developed as a medication for Cushing's disease but categorized as an anabolic agent, is banned in horses by both the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the Fédération Equestre Internationale. For doping control purposes, elimination profiles of hydrolyzed osilodrostat in horse urine were established and the detectability of free forms of osilodrostat and its major metabolite, mono-hydroxylated osilodrostat (M1c), was investigated. Post-administration urine samples obtained from a gelding and three mares were analyzed to establish the eliminatio...
Intravenous administration of quinidine and metoprolol for treatment of atrial fibrillation in 2 neonatal foals. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a rarely reported arrhythmia in otherwise healthy newborn foals, with a single case of cardioversion using procainamide administration described in the literature. Two neonatal Thoroughbred colts were presented to an equine hospital because of an irregularly irregular tachyarrhythmia and poor latching when trying to nurse. History, physical examination, and initial diagnostic testing including ECG and echocardiography confirmed AF without structural heart disease. The 1st foal converted into normal sinus rhythm after treatment with IV metoprolol and quinidine. The 2...
What Is the Evidence Behind Sarcoid Treatments? Despite the ubiquitous nature of sarcoids, robust data regarding the selection of treatment modalities are scarce, with many treatments having little or no published data to support their use. Treatment options are numerous and vary with the location and type of sarcoid, treatment accessibility, and the financial status of the owner. Many treatments are expensive and time-consuming, and some have health and safety implications. It is this author's belief that, based on the limited evidence base, appropriate treatment options vary with the location and type of the sarcoid, and no one treatment ...
Equine-assisted therapy in quality of life and functioning of people with active epilepsy: A feasibility study. People with active epilepsy, which is often associated with specific neurological conditions, endure significant impairments in quality of life (QoL) and functioning, particularly those in middle-income countries. Physical intervention plays an essential role in addressing these challenges. This study investigated the impact of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) on QoL, functional independence, sleep quality, antiseizure medications, and frequency of seizures among people with epilepsy (PWE), with or without additional neurological conditions. Fourteen participants aged 4-34Â years old diagnosed wi...
Chemotherapeutics in Equine Practice. Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancerous cells through the use of cytotoxic drugs. Whilst the use of systemic (intravenous) chemotherapy in equine practice is generally limited to the management of lymphoma, cytotoxic drugs are commonly used in the treatment of accessible skin tumors, either by topical application in the form of ointments or injected intralesionally. These drugs should be employed with caution due to the risk of serious adverse effects. In addition, extreme caution should be followed when preparing, handling, administering, and disposing them, due to their carcinogenic, muta...
Transient efficacy of buparvaquone against Theileria haneyi in chronically infected horses. Theileria haneyi is one of the three known causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. While imidocarb is generally effective in the clearance of the highly pathogenic Theileria equi, it is ineffective in the treatment of T. haneyi. Moreover, co-infection with T. haneyi has been shown to impede the successful treatment of T. equi. Furthermore, tulathromycin and diclazuril have demonstrated inefficacy in eradicating T. haneyi. The absence of an effective therapeutic agent against this parasite represents a significant obstacle in managing equine piroplasmosis. Methods: To address this issue, we e...
Development and validation of general plasma screening method for performance enhancing drugs in racehorses utilizing liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The screening of drugs in plasma and urine often requires initial extraction (such as liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction) before the samples are submitted to instrumental analyses. These extraction procedures are often laborious and time-consuming. In this manuscript, a high-throughput automated assay based on liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) suitable for use as an initial testing procedure covering multiple classes of compounds prohibited in horse racing is described. The assay requires a 600-μL plasma aliquot, which is subjected to solid pha...
Ethical issues concerning UK veterinary surgeons practicing in equine sports medicine. The ethics of equine sports medicine is a complex subject that is currently understudied. It combines veterinary ethics, sports ethics and associated regulation. Equine sports medicine may raise unique ethical issues and combines common ethical issues in ways distinct from other forms of veterinary medicine. Objective: The purpose of this research was to identify and describe ethical issues concerning United Kingdom (UK) veterinary surgeons arising within the practice of equine sports medicine. Methods: Survey. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to UK veterinary surgeons via vete...
Concentration of Marbofloxacin in equine subcutaneous tissue fluid after subcutaneous administration in encapsulated microparticles. Surgical-site infections (SSIs) at implant sites in horses are sometimes difficult to control with systemic antimicrobials. Because one of the likely reasons is insufficient antimicrobial concentrations, there is a need to increase these concentrations in and around the infected tissue. Marbofloxacin (MAR)-encapsulated microparticles (MAR-MPs) made of biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid are capable of sustained release in vitro. We examined the concentration of MAR in the subcutaneous tissue fluid at sites where MAR-MPs had been administered. On day 0, six 3- × 4-cm subcutaneous pock...
Analytical advances in horseracing medication and doping control from 2018 to 2023. The analytical approaches taken by laboratories to implement robust and efficient regulation of horseracing medication and doping control are complex and constantly evolving. Each laboratory's approach will be dictated by differences in regulatory, economic and scientific drivers specific to their local environment. However, in general, laboratories will all be undertaking developments and improvements to their screening strategies in order to meet new and emerging threats as well as provide improved service to their customers. In this paper, the published analytical advances in horseracing me...
Should the use of omeprazole be allowed during equestrian competition? Prioritising equine welfare, making evidenced-based policy, and consistent decision-making across sports are crucial to maintaining the social licence for equestrian sport. Regulations on the use of omeprazole during competition differ; all regulators argue that their rules prioritise welfare. This discrepancy is a matter of concern to the public and equestrian stakeholders. Objective: To apply Campbell's Ethical Framework for the use of Horses in Sport to the question: 'Should the use of omeprazole be allowed during equestrian competition?' Methods: A desk-based ethico-legal study. Methods: C...
Equine Pergolide Toxicity: A Case Series. Veterinary medication exposure may result in human toxicity, with approximately 6,000 exposures to veterinary-only medications reported to poison centers in 2022. There is a paucity of literature on the management of poisoned patients secondary to pharmaceuticals intended for equine use. Pergolide is a dopamine and serotonin receptor agonist and is currently approved to treat equine Cushing's disease. It was previously approved in the United States (US) to treat Parkinson's disease in humans; however, it was withdrawn from the market in 2007 due to its association with valvular heart disease....
Effect of nose twitching on the pupillary dilation in awake and anesthetized horses. Pupillometry is used in humans to monitor pain, nociception and analgesia. This single-center, non-randomized, non-blinded intervention trial, evaluated the effect of nose twitching on the pupil size in awake, sedated, and anesthetized horses. Pupil height (H) and length (L) were measured before (Be) and after (Af) nose twitching in fourteen non-painful adult awake horses (T0). The percentage of variation (PSV) was calculated (PSVTn = [(TnAf-TnBe)/TnBe]*100). Measurements were repeated (Tn) after acepromazine (0.04 mg kg IV) (T1), romifidine (0.04 mg kg IV) (T2), morphine (0.1 mg...
Broad-spectrum and sensitive screening of more than 1000 compounds in equine urine using liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. To uphold the integrity of horseracing and equestrian sports, it is critical for an equine doping control laboratory to develop a comprehensive screening method to cover a wide range of target substances at the required detection levels in equine urine. Methods: The procedure involved the enzymatic hydrolysis of 3 mL urine samples followed by solid-phase extraction using HF Bond Elut C18 cartridge. The resulting extracts were then separated on a C18 reversed-phase column and analyzed using liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) in both electrospray ionization positiv...
Suspected envenomation by the common European adder (Vipera berus berus) in 28 horses in Finland. Vipera berus berus is the only venomous snake present in the Nordic countries and cases of envenomation in horses are reported during the warmer months. Little is known about the presentation, treatment and survival of horses with common European adder envenomation. Clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome are reported for 28 horses admitted to Helsinki University Equine Hospital in 2008-2023 due to suspicion of snake bite. Eleven of these horses received antivenom treatment. Other common treatments included non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (22/28), antimicrobials (19/28), intr...
