See info on the new Dormosedan Gel formulation below..........
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS:
In general there are 2 classes of anti-inflammatory drugs, the NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories) and steroids. These drugs act to reduce inflammation and are therefore also antipyretics (fever reducers) and analgesics (pain relievers). The NSAIDs act by interfering at some point with the cyclooxygenase pathway, a chemical cascade that initiates and potentiates the signs of inflammation including heat, pain, swelling,redness and loss of function. The most common negative side effect of the NSAIDs is gastrointestinal (stomach) ulcers. Phenylbutazone (bute) and banamine are the most commonly used of the NSAIDs. They come in a variety of preparations and may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly and orally. Because of the potential for stomach ulcers they should be used at the lowest effective dose for no longer than is necessary to treat the condition for which they were prescribed. Recently a drug called Equiox has come on the market. This NSAID will not cause ulcers but is considerably more expensive than bute or banamine, Though not approved for horses, the small animal product, Previcox, has also been used. Steroids are naturally occuring hormones produced in the body by the adrenal gland. They act at the cellular level to protect the tissues against the effects of inflammation. They also come in a variety of forms and may be administered IV, IM or orally. Side effects of steroid use may include poor wound healing, increased thirst and urination, laminitis, infections, etc. Again these drugs should be used cautiously. Dexamethasone, prednisone and prednisolone are commonly used steroid anti-inflammatories.
ANTIBIOTICS:
Like the anti-inflammatories, antibiotics are widely used in veterinary medicine.They are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Depending upon their method of action they may be called bacteriocidal (interfere with bacterial cell wall formation and thereby kill bacteria) or bacteriostatic (interfere with bacterial protein formation and therby slow bacterial growth}. They may also be categorized as either broad spectrum (effective against a wide range of bacteria) or narrow spectrum (effective against a few, specific bacterial organisms). There are many different antibiotics and the choice of which drug to use is dependant upon the organism causing the disease. SMZ/TMP, penicillin, amoxicillin, ceftiofur (Naxcel) and gentocin are some of the more commonly used antibiotics. Depending upon the drug used they may be administered IV, IM or orally. As with all drugs the antibiotics must be used appropriately for the condition, the route of administration and length of treatment.
TRANQUILIZERS:
Another class of drugs used on almost a daily basis are the tranquilizers. These are drugs which alter the horse's response to activites that would otherwise cause anxiety and its attendant behaviors. Such behavior may be dangerous ar at least make performing certain procedures harder or impossible. The tranquilizers in general calm the horse down and allow the veterinarian or owner to perform the objectionable procedures with relative safety. There are a variety of tranqulizers available and the intensity of their behavioral change is dependant upon the drug used, the amount given and the route of administration.The most commonly use tranquilizer in our practice is detomidine (Dormosedan). This drug is usually administered intravenously by the vet and in a matter of a couple of minutes the horse becomes obviously quieter, calmer and even somewhat unsteady, This drug not only is a tranquilizer but also is a mild analgesic, so that even somewhat painful procedures may be carried out. The duration of its effects is usually somewhere around 30-60 minutes. We withold food from the tranquilized horse for a couple of hours and the horse should be kept in the stall for this time The drug may also be administerd intramuscularly although when given in this manner the onset of action is 15-20 minutes. Recently an oral form of dormosedan has become available. Other commonly use tranquilizers include xylazine (Rompun) and acepromazine. These may be given IV or IM. Acepromazine ("ace") generally has less intense effects and in general much less incoordination than seen with either dormosedan or xylazine. In male horses acepromazine causes relaxation of the penis and is therefore routinely used when cleaning or examining the sheath and penis. Rompun will cause incoordination but does not have the analgesic advantage of dormosedan. The drug torbugesic, though not a tranquilizer itself, will sometimes be added to other tranquilizers to potentiate or increase their actions. It should always be remembered that even though tranquilized the horse is still capable of reacting in dangerous ways so that awareness and safe behavior around the horse is still essential.
Banamine and Bute, Equioxx Hi. It's almost Spring! Here are a few items of interest.
Dormosedan (detomidine) is a non-narcotic injectable drug used for sedation during minor procedures. Owners may want to use it when a horse has difficulty dealing
with the farrier or for clipping. It is better that your horse does not struggle so this drug can be useful. The vet administers this injectable form IV, using a smaller dose than
when a horse owner administers it IM or intramuscularly. There is a new form of dormosedan which is an oral gel called Dormosedan Gel packaged in a dewormer-like tube.
(It must be administered under the tongue when the horse does not have a mouthful of feed. Follow packet instructions.) After it is given, wait 40 minutes before a
procedure so the drug has a chance to work, keeping the horse in a quiet place to allow the drug its full effect. No food should be available for 2 1/2 hours after
administration because of the increased risk of choke due to the decreased reaction of muscles. Before this first feeding, you should observe your horse
to see if it has recoved from the drug. Dormosedan has not been evaluated for use in pregnant and lactating horses. Call us if you need Dormosedan Gel.
STEROIDS to be completed
Intramuscular injection site
The above picture illustrating a common IM injection site can be done by most owners
Banamine and Bute, Equioxx Hi. It's almost Spring! Here are a few items of interest.
Intramuscular injection site