Sunday 12 August 2018

Facts Regarding Pain Relief For Horses

By Marie Moore


Like many other animals and human beings, horses also experience pain and sustain injuries. Pain in the different organs of a horse, especially joints and bones can be caused by various medical conditions. Research has been done by veterinarians over the years to determine the most effective painkillers in the modern market for pain relief for horses.

There are various medications available that manage pain in horses. This article discusses some of these medications. A-2 Agonists, opioids, ketamine, and NSAIDs are some of the medical options available for managing pain in horses. The name Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs is abbreviated by NSAIDs. NSAIDs have been the centerpiece of equine analgesia. There are various categories of drugs that fall in the NSAIDs category and phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumine are the major ones.

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.

Pain in horses can also be treated by administration of ketamine which acts as a good option. Upregulation can be prevented by use of ketamine as suggested by research. In regard to the effectiveness of ketamine in prevention of upregulation in horses, there is no sufficient evidence to prove it. Evidence of its effectiveness exists in human patients however. A research that was done recently on human beings and dogs indicates ketamine when administered in small doses prevents wind up.

Patients with chronic pains can have the pains relieved when ketamine is administered in small doses. In cases where other drugs have proven to be insufficient ketamine has been proven to work. Better options are expected to be discovered in ongoing research.




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