Re: RC: Carrying Bute

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/2/00 9:30:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Tivers@aol.com 
writes:

<< That's it in a nutshell. Knowing how and why. Being racetrack oriented, I 
 have a distinct aversion to bute--does far more harm than good in that 
 environment and is used primarily to keep lame horses performing--hastening 
 their retirements. Perhaps it has a use in emergencies--but I can't think of 
 any. If it's for emergency treatment of severe pain, it would seem to me 
that 
 a veterinarian would have far more effective drugs. >>

There are a few very specific reasons to give Bute--short-term control of 
acute inflamation following certain types of injuries, founder, etc.  
However, it can cause more harm than good in a dehydrated horse (and 
virtually every endurance horse has at least mild dehydration, simply due to 
the nature of the activity) and also carries some gastrointestinal risks.  
Our whole society tends to overuse anti-inflamatory drugs, and we extend that 
mentality far too often to our horses as well.  Even as a vet, I darn sure 
wouldn't waste the space in my fanny pack for it.  The sorts of injuries for 
which one might use Bute can be handled short term by STOPPING the activity, 
applying support to the injured area in some cases, and applying cold to the 
injured area in some cases if a cold source is available.  It is NOT my drug 
of choice for muscular soreness--if I were to carry ONE anti-inflamatory drug 
it would be Banamine, and even then, there are risks to the dehydrated horse, 
so in a metabolic crisis such as a tie-up, I'd want an IV line in first.  
Common sense first aid is of FAR more value than drugs in most trail mishaps.

Heidi