Rational use of NSAIDs in farm/equine practice

Question 1

When should we use NSAIDs?

Answer 1

anti-inflammatory: reduce infl./oedema
analgesia: pain relief
anti-pyrexic: reduce body temp
anti-endotoxic: reduce effects of endotoxic shock

Question 2

What are the main things to consider when selecting medication in farm/equine patients?

Answer 2

is it safe to use in this case?
who does it need to be safe for?
will it work and how will i know if it will work?
is it legal to use in this case and how do i know i am using it legally?

Question 3

What is the essential substance list for horses?

Answer 3

list of substances considered essential for the tx of equidae that may be used in food horses legally
can only be used with a withdrawal period of six months

to use any drugs not on the list, horse must be signed off the food chain and declaration on passport signed

Question 4

What are the main licensed conditions we can use NSAIDs for in FA?

Answer 4

mastitis
resp dz
lameness
disbudding
scours over 7 days old

in cows and pigs

everything else is under the cascade

Question 5

What is the licensed NSAID for lameness in cattle?

Answer 5

Ketoprofen
safe to use in pregnant cows

also licensed for respiratory, mastitis and post calving paresis

Question 6

What is the licensed NSAID for lameness in pigs?

Answer 6

Meloxicam
safe to use in pregnant sows

also licensed for MMA

Question 7

What are the licensed NSAIDs in cattle and which are safe to use in pregnant cows?

Answer 7

• meloxicam: safe
• ketoprofen: safe
• carprofen: not safe
• flunixin: safe

Question 8

What are the licensed NSAIDs in pigs and which are safe to use in pregnant sows?

Answer 8

• meloxicam: safe
• ketoprofen: not safe
• flunixin: not safe

Question 9

Under the cascade, what is a good choice of NSAIDs for sheep, goats, and camelids?

Answer 9

(step 3 of prescribing cascade)
meloxicam!
licensed for sheep in NZ, Aus, CA

can also use others under cascade
ALWAYS check resources for doses

Question 10

When should we not use NSAIDs in FA?

Answer 10

at same time as other NSAIDs
at same time as steroids
unaddressed dehydration!!
abomasal ulceration
renal failure
liver disease

Question 11

What are the licensed conditions to use NSAIDs in equines?

Answer 11

musculoskeletal: lameness, improve mobility
colic

horses, donkeys, zebras, ponies, unicorns have licensed ones but doses differ!!

Question 12

What are the licensed injectable NSAIDs for horses?

Answer 12

meloxicam
ketoprofen
phenylbutazone
flunixin

none licensed for pregnant animals
all need to be signed off food chain

Question 13

What are the licensed oral NSAIDs for horses?

Answer 13

meloxicam
phenylbutazone
flunixin
suxibuzone
firocoxib

none licensed for pregnant animals
all need to be signed off food chain

Question 14

When should we not use NSAIDs in equine?

Answer 14

renal failure
liver disease
unaddressed dehydration!!
blood/bleeding disorders
during pregnancy
with other NSAIDs
with steroids

Question 15

What are the benefits of corticosteroid use in LA?

Answer 15

induce parturition or abortion
tx anaphylaxis
immunosuppression
anti-infl.
anti-pyrexic

Question 16

What are the risks of corticosteroid use in LA?

Answer 16

concurrent use with other steroids or NSAIDs
infection/immunosuppression
bleeding disorders
renal and hepatic failure
abortion if pregnant
laminitis

Question 17

What is the biggest risk to horses using corticosteroids?

Answer 17

laminitis
any horse can be affected but higher odds with overweight, elderly of Hx of laminitis

need informed consent from owner
use on risk/benefit analysis

Question 18

What steroid causes least and most risk of laminitis to horses?

Answer 18

least: oral prednisolone
most: dexamethasone

Question 19

When should we use corticosteroids in FA?

Answer 19

induce parturition/abortion
tx allergic reactions
anti-infl. if non-responsive to NSAIDs
tx primary ketosis if non-responsive to oral glycerol

Question 20

When should we use corticosteroids in equine?

Answer 20

muskuloskeletal
immunosuppression - autoimmune disorders
tx allergic reactions
anti-inflammatory

Question 21

Which species are licensed to use corticosteroids?

Answer 21

cattle
pigs
horses and other equidae

Question 22

Which corticosteroids are licensed in which species?

Answer 22

dexamethasone injection: cattle, pigs, horses

oral/topical prednisolone: horses

methylprednisolone injection: horses

Question 23

What is important to know about use of NSAIDs in performance animals?

Answer 23

withdrawal times (deletion times)
NSAIDs not permitted under rules of racing, need to be discontinued x amount of time before competitions
is it a banned substance?