Has anyone ever had elevated liver enzymes from long-term previcox use? Updated

[onthebit]

[QUOTE=arapaloosa_lady;8281663]
Are you thinking of another product? Previcox is a flavored chewable tablet, so it wouldn’t be injected.[/QUOTE]

I have always thought there was an injectable form of previcox as my vet has administered it to a couple of horses before. At least he said it was previcox. I will admit I didn’t walk over to his truck and pick up the bottle and look.

[FalseImpression]

http://www.previcox.com/about/Pages/what_is_previcox.aspx
http://www.equioxx.com/Pages/index.aspx injectable

[onthebit]

[QUOTE=FalseImpression;8282635]
http://www.previcox.com/about/Pages/what_is_previcox.aspx
http://www.equioxx.com/Pages/index.aspx injectable[/QUOTE]

Thanks for taking the time to look that up, I didn’t think I had dreamed it (equioxx and previcox being the same drug, one labeled and dosed for dogs and one for horses).

[BuddyRoo]

The reason that previcox/equiox became popular is because it has less risk of GI issues, specifically ulcers. But it’s still an NSAID and still can affect liver function which is why IME, best practices is to do bloodwork prior to starting the medication for long term use, and then be doing regular blood work every 6-12 mos at minimum, more often if on higher dose or if there is an issue.

My 24 YO mare has been on a daily dose of Previcox for more than 2 years with no issues. But she is on a low dose and is not in heavy work either.

Good luck w/ your horse.

[Clair2014]

Just thought I would post an update for anyone interested…

It turns out that the Previcox is most likely not the cause of my horse’s elevated liver enzymes. I did take him off it for several days and discovered that it was covering up mild laminitis. That discovery sent us searching in a different direction. Long story short, I got a second opinion from a different vet and the horse is negative for IR and many other conditions but strongly positive for cushings (PPID). This vet believes that the PPID is the cause of all his health problems. He is currently back on the Previcox and starts the Prascend tomorrow. We will recheck all the bloodwork in a month to see how he is responding to the medication.

The one thing I have to say is that I’m astounded by how well the Previcox works. I was absolutely amazed at how sore my horse was off it and how quickly he seemed better once I started using it again. I honestly wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. In many ways, it was really interfering with getting an accurate diagnosis because it covered up some very key symptoms. Regardless, I’m simultaneously glad it helps so much because my horse is pretty sound when he’s on it.

Thanks for all of the feedback, hopefully my horse will feel much better once the Prascend starts working!

[trubandloki]

Jingles for your boy and his recovery.

So glad you are able to make him comfortable while he recovers.