Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of medications commonly used in horses to manage pain and inflammation. These drugs work by inhibiting enzymes involved in the inflammatory process, specifically cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which play a role in the production of prostaglandins. NSAIDs are frequently administered for conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, colic, and post-surgical pain. Common NSAIDs used in equine medicine include phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, and ketoprofen. While effective, the use of NSAIDs in horses requires careful management due to potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal ulceration and renal impairment. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the pharmacology, therapeutic applications, and safety considerations of NSAIDs in equine practice.
Delbeke FT, Baert K, De Backer P.Urinary and plasma concentrations of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug tiaprofenic acid were determined following oral and intramuscular administration of a dose of 1 g to five fasted horses. Quantitation was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.1 microg/ml and 0.5 microg/ml in 2 ml plasma and 1 ml urine, respectively. Assay precision and extraction recovery were between acceptable values. Tiaprofenic acid pharmacokinetics were described by non-compartment analysis of the data. Absorption was faster after oral administration as...
Goodrich LR, Furr MO, Robertson JL, Warnick LD.A double-blind study was performed, in horses, to determine the potential toxic effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, eltenac(4-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl) amino]-3-thiopheneacetic acid). Four treatment groups of six horses were formed. The drug was injected intravenously, once daily, at a dose level of 0.5 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg or 2.5 mg/kg for 15 days. A control group was injected with sterile saline solution. Horses were monitored for changes in appetite, physical examinations, biochemical evaluations and gastroscopic examinations. Complete post-mortem examinations were also performed. A...
Bassage LH, Ross MW.Ten horses admitted for lameness evaluation including bone scintigraphy had enostosis-like lesions, described scintigraphically as focal or multifocal areas of intense increased radioisotope uptake within the medullary cavity of one or more long bones, and radiographically as one or multiple round to irregularly shaped radiopacities within the medullary cavity, often in close proximity to the nutrient foramen. There were 6 Thoroughbreds, one male, one female and 4 geldings, 3 Standardbreds, all geldings and one Appaloosa gelding; age 3-10 years. Enostosis-like lesions were seen in the tibia (5...
Gerdemann R, Deegen E, Kietzmann M, Venner M.In the present study the significance of eicosanoids in the development of shock in horses on the basis of ileus has been investigated using the prostanoids thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and prostaglandine E2 (PGE2) as indicators. The prostanoid synthesis inhibitor flunixin meglumine was to be examined regarding its efficacy in the effective blockade of the synthesis of these mediators within the peri-operative timeframe as well as its effects on clinical signs and laboratory parameters. 21 horses suffering from ileus and ready for surgical intervention received an intravenous flunixin dosis of 1.1 mg...
Southwood LL, Baxter GM, Hutchison JM, Shuster R.To obtain information from specialists in equine surgery as to prevalence of, predisposing factors for, and methods to prevent postoperative adhesion formation in horses undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: Survey. Methods: Surveys were mailed to 196 diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons involved in equine practice. Results: 60 (31%) surveys were returned. Most respondents (55/60) routinely informed clients of the risk of postoperative adhesion formation in horses with small intestinal lesions. When asked after which procedures they routinely used measures to prevent adhe...
Southwood LL, Baxter GM.Adhesions are an important complication after abdominal surgery in horses and foals, especially after small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Prevention therapies used in horses have included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, heparin, dimethyl sulfoxide, carboxymethylcellulose, and meticulous surgical technique; however, the ideal surgical technique and prevention therapy has not been determined. Further, treatment of abdominal adhesions has a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for improvements in prevention methods.
Freeman DE, Inoue OJ, Eurell TE.To study the effect of flunixin meglumine on short circuit current (Isc) in equine right ventral colon in vitro. Methods: Intestinal mucosa from healthy horses and ponies. Methods: Isc was measured in mucosa from the right ventral colon mounted in Ussing chambers. In experiment 1, collection and incubation solutions were: control (no additions); flunixin meglumine, 4 micrograms/ml; indomethacin, 10(-6) M; and flunixin meglumine (4 micrograms/ml) with 10(-6) M prostaglandin E2. In experiment 2, incubation conditions were: control [plain Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate [KRB] solution]; flunixin meglumi...
Sarkar P, McIntosh JM, Leavitt R, Gouthro H.Nimesulide is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug recently detected in equine blood and urine samples taken at the race track. The detection of the drug in a blood sample led to the identification of an unknown thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) spot in track urine samples as a metabolite of nimesulide. Characterization of the unknown TLC spot and comparison with the synthesized compound shows that the unknown TLC spot is a previously unreported equine metabolite of nimesulide. The metabolite was identified as resulting from the reduction of the nitro group on nimesulide to an amino group. Thi...
Tjälve H.The present article gives a summary of suspected adverse reactions reported by Swedish veterinarians during the period 1991-1995. The summary shows that severe adverse drug-reactions sometimes occur in Swedish veterinary practice. In horses, several cases of acute reactions in animals treated with procaine benzylpenicillin were reported and seven horses died within a few minutes after intramuscular injections of the drug. In cattle and swine most reports referred to the use of antimicrobial agents. In dogs reactions to vaccines were the most frequently reported adverse effects. The reactions w...
Hamm D, Turchi P, Johnson JC, Lockwood PW, Thompson KC, Katz T.To titrate a clinically effective eltenac dosage (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of body weight), compared with vehicle only, and to compare efficacy of the most effective eltenac dosage with that of 1.1 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg. Methods: 40 healthy horses, ranked after model induction on the basis of lameness severity, were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups, with 4 replicates of 10 horses each. Methods: On day -5, after surgical preparation of the left carpal region, 0.7 ml of Freund's complete adjuvant was injected into the intercarpal space. Horses were observed daily, from the day of car...
Landoni MF, Lees P.Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were established for enantiomers of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ketoprofen (KTP), each administered separately at a dose level of 1.1 mg/kg to a group of six New Forest geldings, in a three-period cross-over study using a tissue cage model of inflammation. For both S(+)-and R(-)-KTP, penetration into tissue cage fluid (transudate) and inflamed tissue cage fluid (exudate) was rapid, and clearances from exudate and transudate were much slower than from plasma. AUC values were, therefore, higher for exudate and, to a lesser degre...
Landoni MF, Foot R, Frean S, Lees P.The objective of this study was to analyse the effects of 4 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the production of beta-glucuronidase (beta-glu), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated equine synoviocytes. The agents studied were flunixin, tolfenamic acid, S(+)ketoprofen (KTP) and R(-)ketoprofen. LPS-induced release of beta-glu from synoviocytes was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by all 4 compounds, tolfenamic acid being the most potent. Of the 2 KTP enant...
Murray MJ, Schusser GF, Pipers FS, Gross SJ.Gastroscopic examinations were performed on 67 Thoroughbred horses in training at a race track and repeat examinations performed in 35 horses, 2 to 3 months later. Horses were age 2-9 years and included 16 two-year-olds, 32 three-year-olds and 19 horses > or = 4-years-old. Forty-two of the 67 horses had raced within the 2 months before the initial examination and the remaining 25 horses were in training. Sixty-two of the 67 horses (93%) had one or more lesions present in the gastric mucosa and lesions were present in all of the 42 horses that had raced. Thirty-two of the 35 horses, examined...
Manohar M, Goetz TE, Griffin R, Sullivan E.To determine the effects of phenylbutazone administration on heart rate and right atrial and pulmonary vascular pressures in Thoroughbreds during rest and during exercise performed at maximal heart rate. Methods: 7 healthy, exercise-conditioned Thoroughbreds. Methods: Horses were studied on 3 occasions: without medication [control], after i.v. administration of phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg of body weight) at 12-hour intervals for 2 days and a final dose given 1 hour before exercise, and after i.v. administration of phenylbutazone for 2 days in the same manner, but with the final dose given 24 hou...
Mitten LA, Hinchcliff KW, Pate JL.The effect of inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity on the hemodynamic response to exertion was examined in 6 horses. Rates of O2 consumption and CO2 production and carotid, pulmonary arterial, and right atrial pressures were measured while the horses performed a standardized exercise test on a treadmill after treatment with phenylbutazone or a placebo. Phenylbutazone (8.8 mg/kg p.o. for 2 days and 4.4 mg/kg i.v. 60 min before exertion) abolished the exertion-induced increases in plasma 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 concentrations, confirming inhibition of cyclooxygenase acti...
Galbraith EA, McKellar QA.Flunixin was highly protein bound in the serum of dogs (92.2 per cent), goats (84.8 per cent) and horses (86.9 per cent). Meclofenamic acid was also highly protein bound, although there were larger differences between the extent of the binding in dogs (90.3 per cent), goats (84.7 per cent) and horses (99.8 per cent). Both flunixin and meclofenamic acid were potent inhibitors of the in vitro generation of thromboxane (Tx) B2 in blood. Flunixin inhibited the generation of TxB2 by 50 per cent of the maximum response (IC50) in dog, goat and horse blood at concentrations of 0.10, 0.02 and 0.04 micr...
Owens JG, Kamerling SG, Stanton SR, Keowen ML, Prescott-Mathews JS.To compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), ketoprofen (2.20 and 3.63 mg/kg of body weight) and phenylbutazone (4.40 mg/kg), in an acute equine synovitis model. Methods: 4 groups of 6 horses received NSAID or saline solution in a randomized design. Methods: 24 clinically normal mares and geldings. Methods: Left intercarpal joints were injected with sterile carrageenan to induce synovitis at the same time as IV administration of NSAID or saline solution. Clinical assessments were made and synovial fluid was withdrawn at 0, 1, 3, 6,...
Dickinson CE, Traub-Dargatz JL, Dargatz DA, Bennett DG, Knight AP.To determine the clinical manifestations, morbidity, mortality, and treatment methods for rattlesnake venom poisoning in horses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records. Methods: 27 horses with acute venom poisoning attributable to prairie rattlesnakes, and 5 with chronic problems subsequent to a rattlesnake bite. Results: Most horses were bitten on or near the muzzle while on pasture, resulting in head swelling, dyspnea, and epistaxis. Additional manifestations of acute poisoning included fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, cardiac arrhythmia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hemorrh...
Dabareiner RM, White NA, Sullins KE.Medical records, radiographs, and sonograms of 63 horses with metacarpophalangeal joint synovial pad proliferation were examined retrospectively. All horses had lameness, joint effusion, or both signs associated with one or both metacarpophalangeal joints. Bony remodeling and concavity of the distodorsal aspect of the third metacarpal bone (Mc3) just proximal to the metacarpal condyles was identified by radiography in 71 joints (93%); 24 joints (32%) had radiographic evidence of a chip fracture located at the proximal dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx. Fifty-four joints (71%) were examined...
Bell BT, Bridge IS, Sullivan ST.Seventeen horses diagnosed as having navicular syndrome on the basis of history, clinical findings, regional local anaesthesia and radiography were subjected to bilateral navicular suspensory desmotomy. Before surgery, the duration of navicular lameness ranged from 6 weeks to 4 years. Previous unsuccessful treatments prior to surgery included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, corrective shoeing, rest and isoxsuprine. For the seventeen horses subject to surgery, twelve horses were sound, one horse was improved and four horses were lame at a minimum of 6 months after surgery.
González G, Ventura R, Smith AK, de la Torre R, Segura J.A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) procedure for the detection of seventeen non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in equine plasma and urine samples is described. The extraction of the compounds from the biological matrix was performed at acidic pH (2-3) with diethyl ether. Ethereal extracts were washed with a saturated solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate (urine) or treated with a solid mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate (plasma). The ethereal extracts were dried and derivatized by incubation at 60 degrees C with methyl iodide in acetone in the pre...
Soraci A, Jaussaud P, Benoit E, Delatour P.Fenoprofen (FPF) is a chiral non-steroid antiinflammatory drug, marketed as a racemic mixture of its R(-) and S(+) enantiomers. Its stereoselective disposition in humans and animals is due to a chiral inversion converting R(-)FPF into S(+)FPF. The first step of this reaction, which produces an acyl-CoA thioester, is catalysed by an acyl-CoA ligase. A stereospecific high performance liquid chromatography assay was used to study the disposition of FPF enantiomers in four geldings and three male beagle dogs, following intravenous doses of racemic FPF (1 mg/kg in horses), R(-)FPF (0.5 mg/kg in hor...
Cárdenas S, Gallego M, Valcárcel M, Ventura R, Segura J.A partially automated module for the routine determination of illicit non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in biological fluids from race horses was built, tested, refined, and shown to work. This pretreatment module retains 17 NSAIDs on an Amberlite XAD-2 column before back-elution derivatization with methyl iodide in acetonitrile. Methylated derivatives are manually injected into a gas chromatograph connected to a mass spectrometer. The quantification limits thus achieved are 50-100 ng/mL in 1 mL of urine or plasma. The proposed method is more expeditious than its manual liquid-liquid...
Jolly WT, Whittem T, Jolly AC, Firth EC.The dose-related effects of phenylbutazone and Depo-Medrol on chondrocyte viability and chondrocyte-mediated synthesis and depletion of proteoglycans were investigated using cultured explants of equine middle carpal joint articular cartilage. Explants from 12 horses (941 x 3 mm diameter) were cultured for a total of 5 days, which included 3 days' exposure to either phenylbutazone (0, 2, 20, 200 or 2000 micrograms/mL) or Depo-Medrol (0, 20, 200 or 2000 micrograms/mL). For each explant, amino sugar content was used as a measure of proteoglycan content, 35S incorporation as a measure of the rate ...
Soma LR, Uboh CE, Rudy JA, Perkowski SZ.Naproxen (+6-methoxy-[alpha-methyl]-2-naphthalene acetic acid) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in horses. We developed a model that describes the drug's disposition and renal excretion, including synovial fluid disposition and elimination after IV administration in horses. The plasma disposition, after IV administration of 5 mg/kg of body weight, was described by a two-compartment model; mean +/- SD distribution and elimination half-lives were 1.42 +/- 0.42 and 8.26 +/- 2.56 hours, respectively. Plasma concentration of naproxen...
Owens JG, Kamerling SG, Stanton SR, Keowen ML.The analgesic effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ketoprofen (2.2 and 3.63 mg/kg bwt) and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg bwt) were compared in 7 horses with chronic laminitis. Hoof pain was quantified objectively by means of an electronic hoof tester and lameness was subjectively graded on a modified Obel scale. Ketoprofen at a dose of 3.63 mg/kg bwt (phenylbutazone equimolar dose) reduced hoof pain and lameness to a greater extent than the 2.2 mg/kg dose and phenylbutazone. These effects were still present at 24 h in 3 of the 4 pain tests, including lameness grade. These data sugg...
Landoni MF, Lees P.A comparative study in horses of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of 2 extensively used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), flunixin (FXN) and ketoprofen (KTP), was carried out applying PK/PD modelling. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of these drugs a model of acute inflammation, comprising surgically implanted subcutaneous tissue cages stimulated by intracaveal injection of carrageenan, was used. FXN elimination half-life (T1/2 beta) in plasma was 3.37 +/- 1.09 h. However, in exudate a much longer T1/2 beta was obtained (15.99 +/- 3.80 h). Apparent v...
Barton MH, Darden JE, Clifton S, Vandenplas M.To validate primer sets for use in reverse transcription quantitative PCR assays to measure gene expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES1) in equine mononuclear cells and determine the effects of firocoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on COX-2, cPLA2, and mPGES1 gene expression following incubation of mononuclear cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: 8 healthy adult horses. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and incubated at 37°C with medium alone, f...
Storgaard IH, Kristensen J, Larsen C, Mertz N, Østergaard J, Larsen SW.Intra-articular depot injectables based on in situ suspension formation of ester prodrugs of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are promising for management of joint pain. As candidates for this delivery approach, 5 diclofenac ester prodrugs comprising different imidazole-containing promoieties were synthesized and their physicochemical properties characterized. In vitro hydrolysis rates were investigated in buffer solutions, in 40% (v/v) human, equine, canine, and rat plasma, and in 80% (v/v) human and equine synovial fluid. Bioconversion of the prodrugs to diclofenac was found to be enzym...
Hodgson C, Pinchbeck G.Despite the regularity with which castration is performed, the types of complications and current best practice are unknown. Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a prospective audit of routine equine castrations performed in general practice to determine complication rates and factors associated with them. Methods: Multicentre, prospective audit of castrations. Methods: Data on castrations were collected on the day of surgery from 18 veterinary practices; 30-days post-operatively follow-up was obtained and complications recorded. Frequency of complications was reported, and mu...
Laakkonen UM, Leinonen A, Savonen L.A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) screening procedure for 23 acidic drugs in equine urine is described. With the GC-MS method fifteen anti-inflammatory drugs, five barbiturates and three methyl xanthines can be detected with good sensitivity and selectivity. The method consists of alkaline hydrolysis, extraction with organic solvent using salting-out, clean-up extraction, methylation and screening with GC-MS in selected-ion monitoring mode. The limit of detection is 10 micrograms 1(-1) or lower, for most drugs.
Brianceau P, Divers TJ.A hypercoagulable condition and poor perfusion to distal extremities might occur during equine endotoxaemic or septic shock, which could cause thrombosis of limb arteries. In our review, thrombosis occurred in neonatal foals in association with gram-negative bacteraemia. In 3 older foals and adults, thrombosis was associated with inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhoea and toxaemia. All patients had been treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and i.v. crystalloid solutions. Two horses received i.v. hyperimmune plasma. A generalised coagulopathy was not suspe...
Cuervo-Arango J, Domingo-Ortiz R.Prostaglandins play an obligatory role during the process of ovulation in mammals. Ovulation can be blocked by intrafollicular administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in several domestic species including the mare as well as by systemic administration of these drugs in women. In the mare, the effect of systemic NSAIDs treatment on ovulation has not been critically studied. The objectives of this study were: a) to determine whether high dose of flunixin-meglumine (FM) administered systemically to mares during the periovulatory period was able to block ovulation; and b) ...
Soma LR, Uboh CE, Rudy JA, Perkowski SZ.Naproxen (+6-methoxy-[alpha-methyl]-2-naphthalene acetic acid) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in horses. We developed a model that describes the drug's disposition and renal excretion, including synovial fluid disposition and elimination after IV administration in horses. The plasma disposition, after IV administration of 5 mg/kg of body weight, was described by a two-compartment model; mean +/- SD distribution and elimination half-lives were 1.42 +/- 0.42 and 8.26 +/- 2.56 hours, respectively. Plasma concentration of naproxen...
Soraci AL, Tapia O, Garcia J.Flurbirpofen (FBP), a member of the 2-aryl propionate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug class, has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The commercial preparation is a racemic mixture of the R(-) and S(+) enantiomers of FBP. In this study, R(-) and S(+) FBP were used to investigate the metabolic chiral inversion. Each enantiomer was administered separately (0.25 mg/kg) and in a racemic mixture (0.5 mg/kg) intravenously to horses. Plasma and synovial concentration of each enantiomer was determined and the disposition of each was analyzed. After intravenous administration of R(-)...
Battaglia B, Angelone M, Vera E, Basini G, Bussolati S, Paci M, Bue MD, Aldigeri R, Grolli S, Quintavalla F, Ramoni R.The extract of the seeds from Indian celery, Apium greaveolens (CSE), tested in experimental animals (rodents), and in humans affected by chronic osteoarthritic diseases, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects that can be compared, to some degree, to those of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). In view of a potential use of CSE in the equine species, it was tested on horses affected by chronic articular pathologies. The trial was performed on 20 horses divided into three different groups, orally treated with 0 (controls), 7.0 or 30 g of CSE BID. Basic orthopedic examinations were conducte...
Buntenkötter K, Osmers M, Schenk I, Schänzer W, Machnik M, Düe M, Kietzmann M.Although acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is not frequently used as a therapeutic agent in horses, its metabolite SA is of special interest in equestrianism since it is a natural component of many plants used as horse feed. This led to the establishment of thresholds by horse sport organizations for SA in urine and plasma. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma and urine concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) after oral administration of three different single dosages (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to eight horses in a cross-over designed study. Results:...
de Jong EG, Kiffers J, Maes RA.Results are given for a more sensitive screening procedure for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs using GC-MS-MS. By monitoring a selected characteristic reaction for each drug very low detection limits are reached even in a difficult biological matrix such as equine urine. Detection down to 5 ng ml-1 for ibuprofen, ibufenac, alclofenac, fenoprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen and diclofenac is possible in contrast to the 0.5 microgram ml-1 limit for normal GC-MS detection. Examples are given of real positive cases for diclofenac and ibuprofen.
Lees P, Higgins AJ.Five matched pairs of horses were used to investigate the biochemical, haematological and general clinical effects of a new dosage schedule of a phenylbutazone paste administered under controlled feeding conditions. One group of horses received a loading dose (8.8 mg/kg) on day 1, followed by doses of 3.3 mg/kg daily on days 2 to 8, 10 and 12 with no treatment on days 9 and 11. The second group received equivalent doses of a placebo paste. Bodyweight, skin temperature, respiratory rate, glutamate dehydrogenase activity, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume and neutrophil count were alte...
Hamm D, Turchi P, Johnson JC, Lockwood PW, Thompson KC, Katz T.To titrate a clinically effective eltenac dosage (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of body weight), compared with vehicle only, and to compare efficacy of the most effective eltenac dosage with that of 1.1 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg. Methods: 40 healthy horses, ranked after model induction on the basis of lameness severity, were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups, with 4 replicates of 10 horses each. Methods: On day -5, after surgical preparation of the left carpal region, 0.7 ml of Freund's complete adjuvant was injected into the intercarpal space. Horses were observed daily, from the day of car...
Hough ME, Steel CM, Bolton JR, Yovich JV.Four cases of ulceration and stricture of the right dorsal colon were encountered. Ulceration of the right dorsal colon is generally associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) toxicosis but there are few reports of stricture following ulceration. All four horses had recent phenylbutazone use: three had been given doses well in excess of the recommended dose and in one the dose was marginally above those recommended but was combined with administration of other NSAIDs. All four horses presented with intermittent low-grade colic, weight loss and ventral oedema. Diarrhoea was als...
Gold JR, Grubb T, Court M, Villarino NF.Acetaminophen is a common analgesic and antipyretic drug used in human medicine and might be an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treating pain and pyrexia in foals. The pharmacokinetics and safety of differing doses of acetaminophen have not been investigated in foals. Objective: To determine the plasma pharmacokinetics and any changes in haematology and biochemistry profiles following oral administration of single doses of acetaminophen at 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg to foals. Methods: Randomised cross-over pharmacokinetic study. Methods: Six Quarter Horse (two colts and fou...
Kuemmerle JM, Uhlig H, Kofler J.Hyaluronate (HA) was administered by intra-articular injection to a 13-year-old Haflinger mare for treatment of metacarpophalangeal osteoarthritis. Ten hours after the injection, a severe inflammatory reaction developed in the treated joint. While awaiting results of synovial fluid analysis, treatment for iatrogenic infectious arthritis was initiated, but the analysis did not confirm sepsis. Clinical signs improved significantly following systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and the horse was discharged three days later. Following an intravenous hyaluronate injection, four days ...
Hilton HG, Magdesian KG, Groth AD, Knych H, Stanley SD, Hollingsworth SR.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used systemically for the treatment of inflammatory ocular disease in horses. However, little information exists regarding the ocular penetration of this class of drugs in the horse. Objective: To determine the distribution of orally administered flunixin meglumine and firocoxib into the aqueous humor of horses. Methods: Fifteen healthy adult horses with no evidence of ophthalmic disease. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to a control group and 2 treatment groups of equal sizes (n = 5). Horses assigned to the treatment groups rece...
Longhofer SL, Reinemeyer CR, Radecki SV.The efficacy of top-dress antiinflammatory drugs ultimately depends on a patient's willingness to consume treated feed. The current study compares the palatability of two phenylbutazone top-dress formulations (Equipalazone Powder, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, and Pro-Dynam, VetXX, Ltd.) and a suxibuzone top-dress formulation (Danilon Equidos, Janssen Animal Health). Results of a three-period, crossover study on 18 healthy horses showed that Pro-Dynam was significantly less palatable, with significantly less consumption of treated feed compared with either Equipalazone Powder or Danilon Equidos. The...
Barker SA.Advances in analytical technology now make it feasible to detect and confirm exceptionally low concentrations (pg to fg/mL) of drugs and their metabolites in equine biological fluids. These new capabilities complicate the regulatory interpretation of drug positives and bring into question the fair application of medication rules. Such approaches and policies are further complicated by the possibility that drug positives may arise from contamination of the equine environment on the backstretch of the race track. This manuscript provides data demonstrating that the general environment of the bac...
Bishop RC, Wilkins PA, Kemper AM, Stewart RM, McCoy AM.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration carries risks of gastrointestinal toxicity. Selective COX-2 inhibitors ("coxibs") were designed to reduce risks of adverse effects but are still associated with gastrointestinal complications in humans. The effect of coxibs on colonic inflammation and integrity in horses is unknown. The study objective was to compare the effects of the coxib firocoxib and the nonselective NSAID flunixin meglumine on ultrasonographic indicators of colonic inflammation in healthy horses. Twelve healthy adult horses were administered flunixin meglumine (1...
Higgins AJ, Lees P, Sharma SC, Taylor JB.An accurate and reliable method for the separation of flunixin from, and measurement in, equine inflammatory exudate and plasma by high performance liquid chromatography has been developed. Flunixin can be detected in concentrations as low as 0.05 micrograms/ml using an ultraviolet spectrophotometric detector at 285 nm. Samples were acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid and extracted with dichloromethane. The extract was evaporated and reconstituted in acetonitrile. Iminodibenzyl was used as internal standard. The mean recovery of flunixin from plasma was 97.6 +/- 3.9 per cent. Particular advant...
Honnas CM, Schumacher J, Cohen ND, Watkins JP, Taylor TS.The medical records of 25 horses with septic tenosynovitis treated over 7 years (1983 to 1989) were reviewed to determine clinical features of the disease and response to treatment. The median age of horses with septic tenosynovitis was 5 years (range, 1 month to 21 years). Fourteen fore limbs and 11 hind limbs were affected. Sepsis was located in the sheath of the digital flexor tendons of 22 horses. Sepsis was located in the sheath of the extensor carpi radialis tendon (1 horse), sheath of the long digital extensor tendon (1 horse), or sheath of the common digital extensor tendon (1 horse) i...
Tabar JJ, Cruz AM.The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and describe clinical signs in 7 foals with cecal rupture; none of the foals survived. Six foals had undergone general anesthesia; 5 for orthopedic procedures. Six of the foals were receiving nonsteriod anti-inflammatory drugs. Most foals started showing colic signs on day 2 after surgery, preceded in 3 cases by dullness. Cecal rupture occurred between 4 hours and 2 days after the first signs of colic were noticed. Intestinal motility was decreased or absent in all foals for which it was recorded.Foals undergoing general anesthesia shoul...
Dyke TM, Hinchcliff KW, Sams RA.The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of phenylbutazone premedication on the pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of frusemide in horses; and on frusemide-induced changes in urinary electrolyte excretion. Six Standardbred mares were used in a 3-way crossover design. The pharmacokinetics and renal effects of frusemide (1 mg/kg bwt i.v.) were studied with and without phenylbutazone premedication (8.8 mg/kg bwt per os 24 h before, followed by 4.4 mg/kg bwt i.v. 30 min before frusemide administration). A control (saline) treatment was also studied. Administration of frusemide...
Jaraiz V, Rodriguez C, San Andres MD, Gonzalez F, San Andres MI.A disposition and bioequivalence study with a suxibuzone granulated and a suxibuzone paste oral formulation was performed in horses. Suxibuzone (SBZ) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which was administered to horses (n = 6) at a dosage of 19 mg/kg bwt by the oral route (p.o.) in a two period cross-over design. Suxibuzone is very rapidly transformed into its main active metabolites, phenylbutazone (PBZ) and oxyphenbutazone (OPBZ). Therefore plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of SBZ, PBZ and OPBZ were simultaneously measured by a sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chro...
Whitcomb MB, le Jeune SS, MacDonald MM, Galuppo LD, Judy CE.3 horses with penetrating wounds to the shoulder area were examined because of forelimb lameness. Results: All horses had physical examination findings (decreased cranial phase of the stride, swelling in the shoulder region, and signs of pain on manipulation of the shoulder) that were suggestive of problems in the upper portion of the forelimb. Injury to the biceps tendon or bursa was the primary differential diagnosis in each instance, but no abnormalities involving those structures were found. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging revealed injuries to the caudal eminence of the greater t...
Ahmadnejad M, Jalilzadeh-Amin G, Sykes BW.Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), like phenylbutazone (PBZ), are prescribed to treat pain and inflammation in the equine. However, experimentally their use has been associated with the development of Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD). To evaluate the prophylactic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extracts (GGRE) on EGGD induction following oral administration of PBZ, 12 donkeys were used. Animals were divided into three equal groups (A, B and C) in a randomized block design. A: placebo, B: PBZ (4.4 mg/kg PO q 12 h) and C: PBZ plus GGRE (17.6 mg/kg PO q 24h). Gastroscopy an...
Friebe M, Schumacher S, Stahl J, Kietzmann M.This study investigated synovial concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and its metabolite salicylic acid (SA) in the equine fetlock joint following systemic administration of ASA. Salicylates were chosen because SA is the only nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for which threshold levels exist for plasma and urine in equine sports. To avoid animal experiments, the study was conducted using an ex vivo model of the isolated perfused equine distal limb in combination with plasma concentrations obtained from literature.Salicylate concentrations in the joint were determined using microdialy...
Verde CR, Simpson MI, Frigoli A, Landoni MF.Pharmacokinetic parameters were established for enantiomers of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ketoprofen (KTP) administered as the racemic mixture at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg and as separate enantiomers, each at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg to a group of six horses (five mares and one gelding). A four-period cross-over study in a LPS-induced model of acute synovitis was used. After administration of the racemic mixture S(+)KTP was the predominant enantiomer in plasma as well as in synovial fluid. Unidirectional inversion of R(-) to S(+)KTP was demonstrated but the inversion was less marked ...
Bianco AW, Moore GE, Cooper BR, Taylor SD.Flunixin meglumine (FM) is a commonly used Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in horses, but clinical efficacy is often unsatisfactory. Ketorolac tromethamine (KT) demonstrates superior efficacy compared to other NSAIDs in humans, but its anti-inflammatory effects have not been investigated in the horse. Safety of repeated dosing of KT has not been evaluated. The first objective was to conduct a dose determination study to verify that a previously described dosage of KT would inhibit Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced eicosanoid production in vitro, and to compare KT effects of this inh...
