Horse owners who compete in United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) sanctioned events need to be aware that effective December 1, 2011, horses will not be allowed to compete with more than one of the seven approved nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in their systems. The rule was adopted by USEF based on the recommendation of its Equine Drugs and Medications Committee. The first phase of the rule was implemented April 1, 2010, and required a disclosure for horses treated with more than one NSAID, also called “stacking,” within five days of a competition.
NSAIDs are typically used to treat conditions such as the pain and inflammation associated with equine osteoarthritis.
Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, Equine Specialist for Merial’s Large Animal Veterinary Services, says the decision to limit NSAID use in competition horses will help owners and trainers avoid some of the inherent risks associated with multiple-NSAID usage. “No NSAID designed for use in the horse was ever intended to be used in conjunction with another NSAID,”3 he says. “There are potential side effects of stacking NSAIDs such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, gastric and colonic ulceration, large colon and cecal impaction, kidney damage and right dorsal colitis. Many of these conditions can lead to colic.”
In addition to the risks involved with using more than one NSAID concurrently, there are potential dangers when administering even a single NSAID.5 “Most NSAIDs are administered with a notched syringe with one dose being just a small portion of the entire tube. It is not unheard of for a horse owner to unknowingly give an overdose of just one NSAID, which can lead to health complications such as gastric ulcers, diarrhea, anorexia and renal dysfunction,”5 says Dr. Cheramie.
When trying to provide relief from the inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, especially with a product that has to be administered multiple times daily, owners can also inadvertently expose their horses to peaks and valleys in relief.6
Horse owners can minimize the possibility of an overdose, adverse reactions and inconsistent levels of relief by consulting closely with their veterinarian. Dr. Cheramie also recommends the use of a product that can be administered just once a day versus multiple times.
EQUIOXX®(firocoxib), is one of the NSAIDs approved for use in competition by USEF and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). EQUIOXX provides 24 hours of prescription equine osteoarthritis pain relief* in just one daily dose.7There are two formulations available, injection and paste. Between the two, EQUIOXX is approved for use for a total of up to 14 consecutive days; of which EQUIOXX injectable should not be used for more than five days. Other oral NSAIDs are approved for only five consecutive days.
“Whether a horse is competing and needs relief from discomfort or at home recovering from an injury, owners should partner with their veterinarians to determine the best treatment option,” says Dr. Cheramie. “For that treatment to work, owners also need to be diligent about following dosing directions.”
For more information about EQUIOXX, go to www.equioxx.com.
