Has anyone had a horse develop gastric ulcers on Previcox (Equioxx)?

[Lenny2412]

Hi there,

There are two types of ulcers that horses can get. There are ulcers caused from NSAID usage and then there are also stress ulcers. Even if your horse is on Previcox (BTW - Previcox is labeled for dogs, you should be using Equioxx which is labeled for horses but that is an entirely different subject) she can still get stress ulcers which would be pretty easy to do given her circumstance of having to be laid up. I hope she is doing better! Yes, Firocoxib is the best for a laid up horse as it wont contribute to NSAID ulcers BUT I’d also have her on Ulcergard because of the high stress she is going through

[blueribbonpanel]

Used it for years, I’m not kidding, on one horse with severe arthritis and absolutely no problems. And not ONE mouth sore or abscess either. Hid it in an apple

[sid]

[QUOTE=Lenny2412;8248940]
Hi there,

There are two types of ulcers that horses can get. There are ulcers caused from NSAID usage and then there are also stress ulcers. Even if your horse is on Previcox (BTW - Previcox is labeled for dogs, you should be using Equioxx which is labeled for horses but that is an entirely different subject) she can still get stress ulcers which would be pretty easy to do given her circumstance of having to be laid up. I hope she is doing better! Yes, Firocoxib is the best for a laid up horse as it wont contribute to NSAID ulcers BUT I’d also have her on Ulcergard because of the high stress she is going through :)[/QUOTE]

Lenny, thanks for your post.

She has not been on stall rest for over 6 years. So she is not “stressed”…see my original post.

[Hermein]

I have 2 horses who’ve been on Previcox for a couple of years or so. One of them–who’s had lengthy layups throughout his life–has become a very hard keeper. I have only shoveled more and more feed to him (which he eats), not considering there might be ulcers involved.

Some questions: Does the use of a buffer along with Previcox negate the efficacy of Previcox? Do injections of Adequan and other HA meds give pain relief to the extent that one could stop the Previcox for periods of time? If a vet scopes for ulcers, which type(s) of ulcer can be identified?

Thanks.

[Nestor]

I’ve definitely heard that Equioxx is not the wonder drug that they thought it would be. It has a lower risk of ulcers, but still there. I won’t use it on a horse prone to ulcers.

[SolarFlare]

[QUOTE=Hermein;8250561]
I have 2 horses who’ve been on Previcox for a couple of years or so. One of them–who’s had lengthy layups throughout his life–has become a very hard keeper. I have only shoveled more and more feed to him (which he eats), not considering there might be ulcers involved.

Some questions: Does the use of a buffer along with Previcox negate the efficacy of Previcox? Do injections of Adequan and other HA meds give pain relief to the extent that one could stop the Previcox for periods of time? If a vet scopes for ulcers, which type(s) of ulcer can be identified?

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

In my experience, giving omeprazole concurrently with the Previcox did not cause any problems or cause the Previcox to become ineffective. It was the only way I could continue using Previcox with my gelding. If I stopped the omeprazole, again I would get two weeks issue-free and then ulcer symptoms again.

As for the Adequan/HA, I guess it would depend on what issue the horse has and how the horse responds to the alternative medications. I’m sure your vet could help decide which would be more appropriate. You could always try weaning off the Previcox and then trying one of the alternatives. I know it’s not cheap but I don’t think you’d know for sure unless you tried.

[SolarFlare]

[QUOTE=Lenny2412;8248940]
Hi there,

(BTW - Previcox is labeled for dogs, you should be using Equioxx which is labeled for horses but that is an entirely different subject) [/QUOTE]

FYI, up here in Canada we don’t have Equioxx. Our vets prescribe Previcox (yes, the exact same one that the dogs use) for equine use. It’s the exact same medication but in a different dosing format (tablet vs. paste). There is no problem giving Previcox instead of Equioxx (and it’s cheaper from what I understand too!)

[Lynnwood]

[QUOTE=sid;8245439]
As I said, I’ve never had any problems with it either on other horses that were on it for extended periods (one for a year). But neither of them had a history of prior ulcers. That’s the rub.[/QUOTE]

My older mare Sid the one referenced did have some issues taking bute and we suspected ulcers. It was the main reason we switched to Previcox. Bute would have been and was more effective for her particular issues but she couldn’t handle even a gram a day long term.