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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Pain control in horses: what do we really know?
Equine veterinary journal2014; 46(4); 517-523; doi: 10.1111/evj.12265

Pain control in horses: what do we really know?

Abstract: Currently, approaches to pain control in horses are a mixture of art and science. Recognition of overt pain behaviours, such as rolling, kicking at the abdomen, flank watching, lameness or blepharospasm, may be obvious; subtle signs of pain can include changes in facial expression or head position, location in the stall and response to palpation or human interaction. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine and firocoxib), opioids (i.e. butorphanol, morphine and buprenorphine) and α2 -adrenergic agonists (i.e. xylazine, detomidine, romifidine and medetomidine) are the most commonly used therapeutic options. Multimodal therapy using constant-rate infusions of lidocaine, ketamine and/or butorphanol has gained popularity for severe pain in hospitalised cases. Drugs targeting neuropathic pain, such as gabapentin, are increasingly used for conditions such as laminitis. Optimal strategies for management of pain are based upon severity and chronicity, including special considerations for use of intra-articular or epidural delivery and therapy in foals. Strategies that aim to mitigate adverse effects associated with use of various analgesic agents are briefly discussed.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2014-05-15 PubMed ID: 24645799DOI: 10.1111/evj.12265Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The abstract discusses the varied methods utilized for pain control in horses, detailing the detection of visible and subtle pain symptoms, the common medications and therapies applied, and considerations based on severity and duration of the pain. It also discusses strategies to minimize the side effects of these pain relief measures.

Detecting Pain in Horses

  • The paper emphasizes the importance of detecting both overt and subtle signs of pain in horses. Overt pain behaviors include actions like rolling, kicking at the abdomen, watching the flank, lameness, or blepharospasm, which are clearly identifiable.
  • On the other hand, subtle signs of pain can include changes in facial expression or head position, location in the stall, and response to palpation or human interaction. These signs may often be overlooked but can be critical indicators of a horse’s pain level.

Common Therapeutic Options for Pain Control in Horses

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, and firocoxib are frequently used for pain management in horses.
  • Opioids such as butorphanol, morphine, and buprenorphine, and α2 -adrenergic agonists like xylazine, detomidine, romifidine, and medetomidine are also frequently used. These are stronger medications employed in managing higher levels of pain.
  • For severe pain, a multimodal therapy using constant-rate infusions of lidocaine, ketamine, and/or butorphanol is popular for hospitalised cases.
  • Drugs that target neuropathic pain like gabapentin are increasingly becoming more common for conditions such as laminitis which involves inflammation and pain in the horse’s hooves.

Management of Pain Based on Severity and Chronicity

  • The paper discusses how optimal strategies for pain management depend on the severity and chronicity of the pain. Special considerations are required for using intra-articular or epidural delivery and for therapies in foals, considering their young age and potentially distinctive physiology and response to medications.

Minimizing Adverse Effects of Analgesic Agents

  • Finally, the abstract notes that strategies must be in place to mitigate the adverse effects associated with the use of various analgesic agents. Safe and effective pain control in horses necessitates striking a balance between effective pain relief and minimal side effects.

Cite This Article

APA
Sanchez LC, Robertson SA. (2014). Pain control in horses: what do we really know? Equine Vet J, 46(4), 517-523. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12265

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 4
Pages: 517-523

Researcher Affiliations

Sanchez, L C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Robertson, S A

    MeSH Terms

    • Analgesics / adverse effects
    • Analgesics / therapeutic use
    • Animals
    • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
    • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
    • Horses
    • Pain / drug therapy
    • Pain / prevention & control
    • Pain / veterinary

    Citations

    This article has been cited 19 times.
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