May
23
Written by:
Surgi-Care Center for Horses
5/23/2011 3:37 PM
Phenylbutazone (Bute) and flunixin meglumine (Banamine)
are the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used
by equine veterinarians and horse owners. They are in the same category as
aspirin and ibuprofen and are very effective against fever, swelling and
inflammation from injuries and infections, laminitis (founder) and
musculoskeletal pain. Banamine is very effective against visceral pain and is
the medication of choice for colic. Bute and Banamine do not come without side
effects. They can potentially do
more harm than good if administered improperly. The two organ systems most
commonly affected are the kidneys and gastrointestinal systems.
Proper dosing is important for effective use of bute
and Banamine while minimizing side effects. Banamine should be given at .5mg
per pound of body weight in both the intravenous and paste forms. That is equal
to 10mls of the injectable Banamine for a 1,000 pound horse. The paste form is dosed by the weight
of the horse on the tube. Intravenous administration of Banamine takes effect
within 15 minutes and the peak response is 3-4 hours post-injection. The total
duration of effect is 8 to 12 hours. Banamine can be given safely at the recommended
dose every 12 hours in a healthy, hydrated horse for several days. The
importance of following the dose and frequency of administration
recommendations is that research has determined the amount that will give the
maximal result with the least side effects. Careless or uniformed
administration of Banamine can be deleterious to your horse’s health and can
lead to death.
Bute comes in injectable, paste, tablet and powder
form. The tablets are one gram each, the powder usually comes as one gram per
scoop, the paste comes in one gram increments. The injectable form can only go directly in the vein and
should only be given by a veterinarian.
Administration outside of the vein can cause serious damage to the
tissues. The recommended dose for bute is 1 to 2 grams per day. Higher doses
can be given for short periods of time as prescribed by a veterinarian. Low
doses of bute can be given safely in many horses for weeks or months at a
time. The lowest effective dose
should always be used. Occasionally horses can suffer side effects even at low
doses. Side effects are often manifested in the gastrointestinal tract and
kidneys. If your horse shows signs of colic, diarrhea, lack of appetite or
depression while on bute, contact your veterinarian. Bute is thought to have
the highest risk for negative gastrointestinal effects but any NSAID can cause
problems. Bute is very effective
for musculoskeletal pain.
Sick horses are often dehydrated so care must be
given when using NSAIDs in these horses.
In dehydrated horses, NSAIDS can cause serious, permanent kidney
damage. It is a good idea to
contact your veterinarian before giving any of these medications. Your horse
may need IV fluids to rehydrate prior to safe administration of an NSAID. Take
the horse’s rectal temperature before giving these drugs. They are very
effective fever reducers and can lower your horse’s temperature. Your
veterinarian may want to know if the horse has a fever before you give it.
Pain is an important protective mechanism of the
body. A horse with an injured, painful leg will not want to bear full weight on
the leg and will be less likely to further injure it. Bute and Banamine relieve
pain and inflammation and at times my mask the pain when more aggressive
therapy is needed. Banamine and Bute are convenient to have on hand but you
should always consult your veterinarian before medicating your horse at home.
Contact
Surgi-Care Center for Horses at 813-643-7177 or
email lkuebelbeck@surgi-carecenter.com with
any questions regarding this topic.