Retrospective Evaluation of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Use in Horses: 95 Cases (2010-2019).

The study indicates an examination of the use and effectiveness of fluoxetine hydrochloride, a medication administered orally, in horses. This research generated from the medical records of 95 horses and contemplates owner experiences and perceptions of the drug’s efficacy.

Methodology

• The research process was retrospective and involved a detailed overview of the medical records of horses that were administered fluoxetine hydrochloride. The records spanning from November 2010 to February 2019 were used.
• The subject pool involved 95 horses that were grouped into two categories. The first group comprised 68 horses (Group A) prescribed fluoxetine to assist stall rest, while the second category consisted of 27 horses (Group B) that were medicated to manage behavior-related complications.
• Measurement method employed was a standardized questionnaire structured to retrieve data from the horse owners. The questionnaire was designed to collect information regarding the duration of administration, ease of administration, adverse effects, and perceived behavior improvements in the horses.

Findings

• The mean dosage across the horses was 0.25 mg/kg, with a range of 0.15-0.54. This gives an indication of the amount of medication typically needed for treatment.
• 71% of the horse owners who filled the questionnaire flagged an observed improvement in the horse’s behavior after fluoxetine administration. Specifically, 29 out of 41 owners in Group A (facilitate stall rest), and 18 out of 25 owners in Group B (behavior-related problems), reported behavior improvement.
• An overwhelming majority of the owners (88%) claimed the medication is easy to administer, suggesting minimal challenges in the delivery of the medication to the horses.
• The findings from the report signal a significant owner-perceived efficacy of fluoxetine for aiding extended stall rest in horses. Nonetheless, it’s worth mentioning that further controlled studies are required to validate the utility of fluoxetine for managing behavioral problems in horses as this study included a limited number of behavior-related cases.