Practical Equine Medications
- Topics: Article, Medications
Horse owners, in the everyday care of their animals, routinely need to administer medications in one form or another. The most common range from liniments and leg braces, to diverse anthelmintics for controlling internal parasites, to regular application of fly repellents. In addition to this familiar routine, the horse owner often finds it necessary to administer more complicated medicines when faced with preventing disease or treating injuries, infections, or illnesses. Drugs such as tranquilizers or stimulants sometimes are needed under veterinary orders.
Just what are drugs, and what substances are considered drugs? Paul Schaumberg, DVM, says a drug is "any chemical or compound administered to provide a therapeutic benefit. However, there is a current trend in the United States to exclude plant and animal parts that are given in a whole organic form. The Food and Drug Administration classifies only the purified and quantified compounds extracted from plant and animal parts–or laboratory synthesized copies or enhancements–as drugs. The whole form, which often contains many active and inactive biochemical substances, is called a nutraceutical."
Some drugs influence health by altering natural body processes, such as by controlling inflammation, or concealing pain. Other drugs remove infectious organisms and parasites before they can cause harm. If properly prescribed and administered, drugs are a valued weapon against many equine illnesses and injuries. It is the owner’s mission to make sure that any drug he or she administers is given at the right dosage, administered by the correct route, and is suitable for the horse’s condition as determined by a veterinarian.
Safe Drug Management
- Consult your veterinarian if you’re unsure of a health concern and its appropriate treatment.
- Drugs should be stored far out of reach of children, away from exposure to direct sunlight, and within the temperature range suggested by the manufacturer.
- Always note the expiration date on drug labels and don’t use any product that has expired or is discolored. Even if the expiration date is okay, if it looks odd in any way don’t use it!
- Always administer drugs according to the manufacturer’s or veterinarian’s directions, whether topically, orally, or by injection. Some drugs can only be given intramuscularly, such as procaine penicillin and most vaccines. Others, like the injectable phenylbutazone (Bute), are very irritating to the muscles and should only be given through an intravenous injection.
- Know how to administer drugs properly. Get help from your veterinarian if you are unsure of the proper sites and methods used when administering an injectable medication.
- Use proper hygiene when giving an injectable medication–avoid contaminating the bottle. Cleansing of the injection site is also important to avoid contaminating underlying tissues.
- Never mix products unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer.
- Do not save partially used vaccine vials for later use.
- When using a multiple-dose vial, never enter the container with an unsterile needle.
- Dispose of used containers, vials, needles, and syringes properly. Do not leave them where they will become a hazard to man or animal. (Beware of needles dropping in bedding!)
- Along with the product’s caution statement for appropriate handling, read the directions for the drug’s proper use and method of administration, then follow them exactly.
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Learn about the possible side effects of each drug you intend to use and what emergency steps you must take if your horse experiences a reaction to the drug
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Written by:
Kim and Kari Baker
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