I have a horse that i feel responds better to bute vs equioxx although I read they both do the same. Has anyone seen similar outcomes? Thanks
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I found Bute to be stronger than Equioxx. We went to Bute for my previous senior when Equioxx stopped giving him enough pain relief.
They are similar drugs I believe (both NSAIDs) but I do think Bute is stronger.
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My understanding is that while they are both NSAIDS and Cox - 2 inhibitors, there are differences in how they work and how they should be given.
Equioxx is particularly effective against joint pain/arthritic pain, Bute can be used for any pain caused by inflammation, such as a kick or other wound.
Equioxx is also best used daily for a chronic pain issue rather than an acute issue.
So I would put a creaky senior horse on daily Equioxx, but give bute to a horse with an acute injury.
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Yes. I’ve had several on equioxx and found the same. In fact one responds better to aspirin.
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Phenylbutazone is not a selective COX-2 inhibitor.
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They are, and aren’t the same.
They’re both NSAIDs, and both COX-2 inhibitors
But firocoxib is selective and bute isn’t. The non-selective aspect of bute is why it controls more pain, better. It’s also why it more easily allows ulcers to form in the stomach, because it reduces prostaglandin production that supports a healthy stomach lining. That’s the part that firo doesn’t reduce nearly as much, which is why the ulcer risk is much lower, but not zero
Controlling inflammation and pain isn’t an exact science, so while on paper, and probably for most horses, bute does the job better, there are still lots of horses for whom firocoxib works just fine for their situation
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Thanks for your opinions and information. Is it possible that bute would be better tolerated (gut wise) when mixed with other otc supplements , such as hoof pellets & pelleted feed, etc? I guess I am using my self as example - if I take ibuprofen with food- no problem vs ibuprofen with water. I hope this makes some sense.
It may ameliorate the ulcerogenic effect slightly, but it isn’t the physical presence of the drug in the stomach that causes the problem.
It’s the interference with protective prostaglandin synthesis.
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Thanks for the clarification, @Ghazzu, and for weighing in. I was hoping you’d show up to this thread. @Elliott12, Ghazzu is a vet, so her opinion carries more weight on this subject.
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I had weight loss surgery. I should not use NSAIDS this includes Voltaren topical as this can still cause ulcers. I am guessing due to the issues you raised.
My particular surgeon allows shoet term use of 100 mg Celebrex. It is available as 200 mg but I cannot use that
