Evaluation of the safety of a combination of oral administration of phenylbutazone and firocoxib in horses.

This study investigated the combination of two different drugs, phenylbutazone and firocoxib, in horses, and found that the co-administration of these drugs for ten days could potentially lead to renal disease.

Objective of the Research

The research was primarily aimed at testing the impact of administering two different drugs, phenylbutazone and firocoxib together to horses over a ten day period. There were no previous records of this combination being tested together in horses, hence this study is pioneering that field. Phenylbutazone is a non-selective COX inhibitor, while firocoxib is a COX-2 specific NSAID.

• Horses were assessed daily for changes in behavior, appetite, fecal consistency, signs of abdominal pain, and oral mucous membrane ulceration.
• They also performed tests on the horses for changes in serum creatinine, albumin, total protein, and urine-specific gravity before and after the treatment.
• Moreover, endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and pylorus was carried out before and after the treatment.

Findings of the Study

Results drawn from the study were reasonably clear and led to one important finding.

• There was a significant increase in serum creatinine and total protein on the 10th day of treatment.
• No significant changes were noted in behavior, appetite, fecal consistency, signs of abdominal pain, and oral mucous membrane ulceration.
• Also, no notable changes were found in albumin and urine-specific gravity levels.
• Endoscopic studies of the esophagus, stomach, and pylorus also didn’t show any notable changes.

Conclusion of the Study

This study concluded that the combination of the drugs phenylbutazone and firocoxib administration for ten days could potentially lead to renal diseases in horses. Hence caution might be necessary while co-administering these drugs, as the significant increase in serum creatinine and total protein could indicate damage to the kidneys. However, the study didn’t note other significant impacts in the horses that were part of this research.