Before I sell my soul to Boeringer Ingleheim... diclofenac gel + DMSO as a carrier?

[Renn_aissance]

Because four tubes of Surpass along with my next order of Prascend should at least entitle me to a complimentary branded baseball cap…

I’ve read human studies indicating that DMSO is a successful carrier of or enhances the transport of topical diclofenac across the skin barrier. Human skin is not horse skin. I cannot find equine studies, but I also don’t have access to academic research sources. Is anyone aware of any equine studies on the efficacy of voltaren gel carried by DMSO, in comparison to the efficacy of Surpass?

[mroades]

They actually made some of that on purpose but it never took off .It was called Pennsaid

[IPEsq]

One of the vets here gets it compounded that way plus some sort of vasoline type base. Talk about gross to apply, but I can’t say whether it is more effective.

[alibi_18]

DMSO is commonly used with horses, especialy mixed with nitrofurazone.

I’ve apply Voltaren directly on horses legs… DMSO would have indeed bring it further in.

[Palm_Beach]

Maybe run it by your vet in case of an unanticipated chemical reaction or otherwise unanticipated consequence?

[Renn_aissance]

In my “I haven’t slept through the night in two weeks” stupor last night I phrased the question badly (and edited.) I’m looking specifically for research on this particular preparation in comparison to the efficacy of Surpass. I’m aware of previous research that suggests that the carrier formula of Surpass is superior to voltaren gel (alone) at passing the equine skin barrier.

Since my friendly neighborhood Canadian pharmacies appeared to be sold out, and I am not looking forward to a repeat of the conversation I had with my PCP when I said “Oh, you’re suggesting I take methocarbamol? I actually don’t need a prescription, I’ve got plenty of that for my horse”… I ended up ordering the Surpass anyway. But it would still be good to know for next time.

Personal ad from my horse: Grumpy ISH hocks seek spring weather!

[alibi_18]

Wouldn’t injections of some sort or Equiox/Previcox be more efficient for your horse’s hocks?

[Renn_aissance]

@alibi_18

Wouldn’t injections of some sort or Equiox/Previcox be more efficient for your horse’s hocks?

He is already on a daily Previcox, IV polyglycan, and an oral joint supplement. The joint is fused enough that IA injections are not feasible. He’s coming up on 24 and maintains soundness for moderate work on this regimen throughout the year, but is having a tougher time in the cold, so this topical seems a prudent next step to help him out since sending him to winter in Florida isn’t an available option.

[Palm_Beach]

Not sure where you are, but if the ground went from sloppy mud to frozen, he may not be moving around much due to the difficult to navigate footing. I’ve had to dial back my riding on days the ring has been thawed out because my horses are not getting much exercise at all when turned out.

[mroades]

I would actually think diclofenac and dmso combo would be great for that issue

[Renn_aissance]

@Palm Beach

Not sure where you are, but if the ground went from sloppy mud to frozen, he may not be moving around much due to the difficult to navigate footing. I’ve had to dial back my riding on days the ring has been thawed out because my horses are not getting much exercise at all when turned out.

Our pasture footing has held up wonderfully, but he definitely isn’t moving around as much as usual- he goes out for 12-16 hours, but now that we’ve switched from feeding square bale flakes spread around the field to putting a round bale in the run in shed, he and his buddies go down to the round bale and put it in park all night. Mine is probably lying down in the loose hay and snacking while curled up like a donut- it’s a specialty of his. I still want him going out under most conditions because he seems to find it easier to lie down and get back up outside in the field than in his stall, but I figure he’s moving about as much outside as he would in his house, and that is not helping with joints that are already not at their best in cold weather. We do a lot of hand walking, and longer exercise at much lower intensity to help him limber up, and I’ve added magnetic hock boots before he exercises or while he’s standing to await the farrier, but I’m hoping that adding the Surpass helps him stay more comfortable until springtime comes and his body loosens up again.

[4horses]

Just buy the Voltaren gel. The dmso is already in the gel at a low rate. You can find it fairly cheap on eBay.

i like to mix dmso with dexamethasone and apply it for an hour with plastic wrap. Diluted dmso. I remove it after an hour or two. No longer. I know people who apply it for 6-12 hours, but end up with a blistered horse. I also use it on my wrists for carpal tunnel - it works wonders, but after more than 2 hours it makes me itch so i remove it.

I don’t think leaving it on for longer than 2 hours is necessary. Voltaren gel absorbs in about an hour… I suspect the dmso/dexamethasone absorbs at a similar rate.

[mzm_farm]

If he benefits from warmth in the area, can also consider hock boots - from simple neoprene to fancy BOT ones. All would supply extra warmth reasonably safely esp. in stall/not overly active equine.