What You Should Know About Equine Pain Relief & Anti-inflammatory Remedies

By Anthony Johnson


There is a wide range of different remedies that are available for horses. There is a lot of choice when it comes to choosing equine pain relief & anti-inflammatory products.

The different types which are available include agonist remedies and anti-inflammatory drugs. There has been a vast amount of research carried out over the past few years and this research has been carried out by veterinary professionals. Veterinary professionals have a vast amount of experience using the the various different types of painkillers and this has given them a good idea of what works the best.

A presentation was given in 2011 which was known as the Western Veterinary Conference and it was held in Las Vegas at Colorado State University. At this conference there was a large discussion about the different types of pain management for horses.

For many years the non-steroid anti-inflammatory remedies have been the main painkiller for horses. The most common drugs that are used in these remedies are phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumie. These remedies are been used successfully for many years by veterinary professionals as a method of treating gastrointestinal pain, musculoskeletal pain and eye pain. Some veterinary professionals also make use of ketoprofen and carprofen which both fall into this category for drugs.

Some of the research that has been carried out recently shows that topically administered non steroid drugs can be used for treating localised pain and inflammation without nay side effects. Seventy four per cent of horses which were treated with this medication have had a significant increase in mobility and a decrease in the level of lameness.

It is common practice for drugs to be clumped together into groups, however all drugs are different. All drugs are produced using a unique composition of chemicals there no drugs are the same even although they may be in the same group. Each drug will have a certain level at which it becomes toxic. Toxicity tends to happen when a horse is administered too much medication or it is given over a long period of time, when not suitable for long term use. Toxicity can lead to a range of problems including live damage, kidney damage and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Patients who are undergoing neonatal care are more susceptible to the side effects.

Another classification for drugs is the opioids, although this class will not necessary have an analgesic action on the horse. Research has found that there is mixed reviews about the efficacy that these drugs have had on horses. Veterinary professionals often use opioid drugs such as butorphanol and morphine as well as sedatives and tranquillisers. These drugs are thought to be most useful when you are working around the hind legs as this seems to minimise the risk of the horse kicking.

Some research has shown that this type of drug can be used as a painkiller over a short period of time. These drugs are not suitable for using over a long period of time as they can lead to a number of problems including arousal and gastrointestinal stasis. Research has found that these drugs will work best when they get given epidurally and they will start to work within about twenty minutes.




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