Health Concerns

Health Concerns

 

Got Bute?
What every horseman should know about the first aid essential.
 

Don’t leave home without one of these in your first aid kit or trailer. Every horseman has heard of the basic first aid medicines Bute and Banamine. A true understanding of when, where and how to use these products is however widely misunderstood. I am here to give you the scoop on these and offer other alternatives as well.

 

Both medications fall into the category of NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This group is closely related to the NSAIDS humans use such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen. They all act by interrupting the inflammatory cycle by blocking prostaglandin synthesis. This in turn gets the desired actions of analgesia, anti-inflammatory, and fever reduction. This is both good and bad in that the same interruption can cause problems as well: reduced renal blood flow; decreased clotting by reducing platelet aggregation, and gastric mucosal damage.

 

Let’s look at Bute first, or more appropriately, Phenylbutazone. This drug is sold as a flavored powder, as a paste, or in an injectable solution (see photo). The commonly accepted dosing range is one to two grams per 1000 pounds of body weight one to two times a day, never to exceed four grams per day. Do not give the IV dose for more than 5 consecutive days or complications may drastically increase. Ponies and foals are especially sensitive to high doses and should be treated cautiously.

 

Complications occur when Bute is used too aggressively, too long, or in certain sensitive animals. I have seen oral ulcers, gastric ulcers, diarrhea, anorexia, and kidney problems. Humans foolish enough to take Bute (and there are some) usually suffer serious bone marrow problems, which can occasionally be fatal.

 

All that being said, Bute is still the most affordable and simplest way to deal with almost any first aid issue involving pain, fever, or swelling. Keep it around and use it whenever your horse is injured or sore. It is wise to get a full dosage on board immediately after almost any injury. The faster you get Bute into the horse the better it works. It is more valuable for musculo-skeletal problems than any other issues.

 

Next, let’s talk about Banamine, which has now gone generic under many brand names, but the common active ingredient is Flunixin. Banamine biochemical action is very similar to Bute and the other NSAIDS—but it’s shown to be four times stronger than Bute when administered drop for drop. It also comes in granules, paste and injectable forms.

 

Like Bute, Banamine has its potential side effects, but they are less serious than Bute. Banamine’s greatest strength is its use for colic. It is much more potent for visceral pain than most others in this class and can be repeated with less chance of problems. And Banamine can be given via intramuscular, IV, or even subcutaneously and have minimal side affects. Injectable Bute is an IV-only drug and should never be administered any other way.

 

Banamine has potent effects within two hours, although colic signs start to lessen 15 to 20 minutes after IV dosing. Peak levels are reached 12 to 16 hours after administration and may last 24 to 36 hours. Banamine is great in colic cases but it is also terrific for musculo-skeletal trauma.

 

When I’m at Mounted Shooting matches, I frequently see people in the early “panic” mode of a recent trauma—and they immediately give Bute and Banamine together. This is about the same as you taking two aspirin and two ibuprophen. It’s generally not a good idea to mix them, although a one-time dosing probably isn’t going to cause major harm. When in doubt, go for the Banamine!

 

All drugs in this class are potentially more harmful if a patient is dehydrated, since the medications reduce renal blood flow. I personally had to watch a gorgeous paint stallion die slowly in my hospital after the owner overmedicated him. The horse, which had low-level colic, was given both Bute and Banamine for four days. He was dehydrated and his kidneys went into full renal failure. This tragedy could have been avoided with a phone call to my office in the early stages.

 

There are other products out in the market. One is Ketofen®, which is made by Fort Dodge but has never caught on like the aforementioned products. It must be given by IV like Bute and would be used as equine ibuprofen. My evaluation—Ketofen® doesn’t have the clinical potency of the others.

 

What does the future hold? Our newest rising star is Equioxx®, the brand name for Firocoxib. This new drug is very similar to Bute and Banamine in what it does, but it is much safer. This NSAID only blocks the hazardous portion of prostaglandin synthesis cycle (COX-1), leaving the good guys (COX-2) to aid in the desired effects. Overall, Equioxx® is now the best product on the market; it’s also somewhat more expensive than its predecessors.

 

Whenever you have any questions about these drugs or any others, call your veterinarian. It’s dangerous to play doctor at home with no guidance. And make sure you have Bute or Banamine in your trailer.
 

Related posts:

1. Health Concerns   A Colic Update – Breaking Myths and Legends...
2. Health Concerns   Wound Care Basics—An essential part of good horsemanship....
3. Health Concerns   TURN THE WORM   The planning and selection...
4. Health Concerns   The Pre-Purchase Exam. Before you plop down hard...
5. Health Concerns   Off season is a good time to offer...
6. Health Concerns   A Global Solution to Health Certs The digital...
7. Traveling Equine First Aid Kit   Don't Leave Home Without It!   As a...
8. Leading Your Horse to Water And Making Him Want to Drink   You can...