Eltenac, a new anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug for horses: clinical aspects.

The study presents the results of clinical trials on Eltenac, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for horses. It demonstrated significant relief from pain and inflammation in horses with acute inflammatory disorders and orthopaedic conditions, highlighting its promising potential as an effective equine medication.

Research Design and Methodology

• The investigators conducted two controlled studies to establish the efficacy of Eltenac, testing the drug in horses through randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blinded clinical trials.
• The chosen dose for the trials was 1 mg/kg of the horse’s body weight.
• A preliminary pharmacokinetic investigation determined the mean elimination half-life of the drug from the horses’ bodies after intravenous administration to be 1.7 hours.

First Clinical Study: Analgesic Effect of Eltenac

• The initial clinical study focused on determining the analgesic (pain-relief) activity of Eltenac on pain-related lameness in horses.
• The study involved a total of 64 horses with pain intensity determined by a rating scale.
• The results showed that Eltenac produced significant pain relief for up to a full day after a single intravenous injection, compared to the placebo treatment.

Second Clinical Trial: Anti-inflammatory Effect of Eltenac

• The second clinical trial examined the anti-oedematous effect (swelling-reduction) of Eltenac on post-operative wounds in horses, specifically following castration.
• This trial studied two groups of 10 colts each, with the horses receiving an intravenous injection of either 1 mg/kg Eltenac or a placebo for three consecutive days after their surgeries.
• The investigators assessed the degree of swelling by measuring the diameter of the external preputial fold using callipers, a rating scale ranging from 0 to 3, and taking photographs on days 1, 2, and 4 post-surgery.
• The results demonstrated that compared to the placebo treatment, Eltenac significantly inhibited pain and swelling, and the effects lasted up to 48 hours after the last injection.

Conclusion

• The two clinical trials provide strong evidence for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory capabilities of Eltenac in horses.
• As such, this new NSAID has potential for treating animals in both acute inflammatory conditions and orthopaedic discomfort, indicating a positive outcome for equine medicine.