Types of Medications for Horse Pain

Whether he's suffering from a wound inflicted while out in the pasture or from pain associated with an illness, your horse will probably need some type of pain reliever at some point. Most equine pain relievers are given either by injection or by mouth, and most require a prescription from your veterinarian. No pain reliever should be used for too long or in too large a dose because all pain medications have side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause stomach ulcers, and administering an amount more than twice the recommended dosage can result in toxicity. Giving your horse two different NSAIDs at the same time can also be toxic.

  1. Corticosteroids

    • Corticosteroids such as cortisone can be very effective in reducing inflammation, but they can also potentially slow your horse's healing by keeping the good inflammatory responses from occurring. However, if corticosteroids are used for only short periods, these effects can be avoided. Corticosteroids can also cause laminitis, which is inflammation of the plates of soft vascular tissue that cover the flesh within the wall of the hoof. Often used for eye injuries, corticosteroid drugs are given by injection.

    Phenylbutazone

    • Also known as Butazolidin or "bute" for short, phenylbutazone is the most popular form of NSAID, according to the "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook." If your horse needs long-term treatment, phenylbutazone is likely the drug your vet will prescribe. Available in tablet, paste, powder, and injectable forms, phenylbutazone is often given to horses with bone, joint, tendon, and muscle injuries.

    Flunixin Meglumine

    • For a horse that needs more immediate pain relief, flunixin meglumine, more commonly called Banamine, is the drug of choice. Normally given by injection, flunixin meglumine is also preferred in treating illnesses that may cause bacterial endotoxemia, as the drug prevents bacteria from circulating throughout the body.

    Naproxen

    • Your veterinarian will likely use Naproxen, or Equiproxen, in cases of muscle pain and soft tissue damage.

    Dimethyl Sulfoxide

    • If your horse needs a topical medication along with a pain reliever, your veterinarian may have you apply a dimethyl sulfoxide, or DMSO, solution. DMSO is quickly absorbed through the skin and is especially good at relieving swelling, as it pulls moisture from tissues. This drug can also be given as an intravenous solution, especially in acute disorders. DMSO is available without a prescription but should be used carefully since anything on your horse's skin can be absorbed into your body after coming into contact with DMSO.