inflammation | Horse Racing Free Tips

Inhaled Human Medication Helpful For Asthmatic Horses

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has reported that inhaled ciclesonide can assist in controlling severe asthma in horses. Horses with severe asthma often cough, have a runny nose and have difficulty forcing air into their lungs.

Corticosteroids have been shown to calm inflammation in the respiratory tract. These medications can be administered multiple ways, but inhaled therapy is considered ideal as it gets the drug directly into the lungs. Ciclesonide is used in human medicine and has been shown to be effective in horses that become asthmatic when exposed to certain conditions like moldy hay. The drug had not been studied in the field.

Researchers used 220 severely asthmatic horses from 24 clinics in Germany, France and Switzerland for a study to test inhaled ciclesonide efficacy. The horses either received an inhalation solution containing ciclesonide or a placebo inhalation.

To test their hypothesis, the horses were given ciclesonide through an equine inhaler at eight actuations twice daily and then 12 actuations once daily for five days. The horses receiving the placebo received the same number of treatments, but they did not contain ciclesonide.

The study team found that 73 percent of the horses receiving ciclesonide showed improvement in their asthma after the 10-day study. Horses with more severe asthma showed the most improvement. Horse owners reported an improved quality of life in nearly 70 percent of the ciclesonide-treated horses.

Read the full article here.

FDA Approves First Generic Ketoprofen For Use In Horses

The FDA has approved KetoMed, the first generic ketoprofen for the alleviation of inflammation and pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders in horses.

Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in aging horses and can cause pain, weakness, stiffness and decreased range of motion in the animals' joints. Osteoarthritis and chronic laminitis are among the most common musculoskeletal disorders in horses and can greatly impact a horse's performance and quality of life.

KetoMed contains the same active ingredient (ketoprofen) in the same concentration and dosage form as the approved brand name drug product, Ketofen, which was first approved on September 26, 1990. In addition, the FDA determined that KetoMed contains no inactive ingredients that may significantly affect the bioavailability of the active ingredient.

The data submitted in support of the Abbreviated New Animal Drug Application demonstrate that KetoMed, when used according to its label, is safe and effective.

KetoMed is a prescription product because a veterinarian's expertise is required to diagnose musculoskeletal disorders and to determine whether ketoprofen is an appropriate treatment.

KetoMed is supplied in 50 mL and 100 mL multidose bottles. The recommended dosage is 1 mg/lb (1 mL/100 lbs) of body weight once daily. Treatment is administered by intravenous injection and may be repeated for up to five days.

KetoMed is sponsored by Bimeda Animal Health Ltd. based in Dublin, Ireland.

Elevate Heels To Alleviate Laminitic Pain

Very few equine conditions can be as debilitating as laminitis, which can be triggered by a variety of events or occur on its own. Laminitis occurs when the laminae, a set of finger-like structures which support the coffin bone and hold it in place in the hoof capsule, become inflamed. This inflammation is incredibly painful.

The breakover phase of a horse's stride is the most painful for laminitis horses. This is when all of his weight rests on his toe as he steps forward, putting intense pressure on already-sensitive structures. A study has found that elevating a horse's heels with a wedge can shorten the breakover period, protecting damaged tissues and helping to alleviate some of the horse's pain.

The study used eight acutely laminitic horses to compare the breakover of hooves and those with a heel wedge. The horses were walked on a poured concrete surface both barefoot and with the wedge applied. The scientists found that the heel wedge shortened breakover and reduced the load on the horse's toe. Elevating the heel placed 81 percent of the load on the bottom half of the hoof, near the heel, relieving pain and mitigating lamellar damage.

The researchers recommend using heel wedges for no more than two to three weeks at a time to avoid collapsing the horse's heels and contracting his hooves.

Oops: How Old Is That Injury?

Horses love to find ways to injure themselves and it's not always easy to determine if the lump, bump or scrape is new or old, especially if the horse isn't groomed every day or if he's sporting a long, thick winter coat. When a lump or bump is discovered, a few things can be done to determine if it's fresh and requires a call to the vet or if it's old and just now being noticed.

The feel of a lump can indicate if it's new or old: New injuries are often soft to the touch from fluid that pools in the area. A new injury will often feel hot to the touch. An older injury tends to feel firmer as it's made up of scar tissue or calcification; it will be the same temperature as the surrounding skin.

If the horse reacts to palpation, it's most likely a newer injury. Sensitivity to touch is associated with the same inflammation that causes the soft feel.

A call to the veterinarian may be in order if the lump or bump is new and if the horse is lame. Older injuries that have healed and are nothing to be alarmed about.