Facts About Pain Relief For Horses

By Marie Moore


Horses like people and many other animals also sustain injuries and experience pain. There is also a wide range of medical conditions that can cause horses to experience pain in various parts of their bodies, especially bones and joints. Over the course of years, veterinarians have been able to undertake research to determine which of the many painkillers in the market are the most effective for pain relief for horses.

Several different medications are available for managing pain in horses, and this article will discuss some of them. Some of the options that people have include NSAIDs, opioids, a-2 Agonists, and ketamine. NSAIDs is the abbreviation for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs have for many years been the mainstay of equine analgesia. The two major drugs that fall in the category of NSAIDs are flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone.

These two drugs have been used to successfully treat various numbness conditions. They are mainly used to treat diseases such as ocular, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal pains. Other drugs categorized under NSAIDs include carprofen and ketoprofen. These two drugs are however not commonly used by veterinarians.

There are several drugs that are placed under the NSAID classification. These drugs are however different in their chemical composition. For this reason, the toxicity level of these drugs are different based on the chemical composition of the drug. Generally, getting the horse overdosed with medication is one of the main causes of toxicity. This usually affects the gastrointestinal tract, liver and the kidneys. Toxicity usually has drastic effects on younger equines compared to older horses.

Laboratory studies and clinical use indicate that a-2 agonists are probably the most effective systemically used analgesics. However, they are usually not the first choice that comes to the mind of veterinarians because they produce various side effects. Some of the side effects that thee drugs produce include drowsiness, ataxia, gastrointestinal stasis, and hyperglycemia among many others. The a-2 agonists are typically used by veterinarians to sedate equines before performing standing procedures.

Before being put under general anesthesia, equines are given a-2 agonists. It has been determined that equines that have signs of colic can have their pains controlled by use of a-2 agonists. Detomidine has been introduced as a new formulation in the sedation market. Sedation from this formulation is capable of lasting for up to 2 hours.

Ketamine is also a good option for treating pain in equines. It has been suggested by researchers for the prevention of upregulation. Even though there is no adequate evidence at the moment regarding how efficient ketamine is in preventing upregulation in equines, evidence from human patients exist. A recent research in dogs and humans indicate that small doses of ketamine prevent wind up.

Small doses of ketamine also relieve pain in patients with chronic pain. Ketamine has proven to be particularly effective in cases where other drugs have failed. Research in relief of pains in equines is still underway and it is expected that better options will be obtained.




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