What do most horse owners prefer to have on hand - oral banamine or injectable? I know oral takes a little longer to act than the injectable, but I am more comfortable administering orally. I have two horses that I’m bringing home soon, and I am trying to make sure that I am fully prepared for them, and so I’m ordering extra banamine and bute to keep on hand for emergencies. I have never given anything IV and I will definitely learn how to either way, but I am far more comfortable giving it orally and before I order I just want to make sure I know that in an emergency that either one would be okay and see which one most people prefer and keep on hand.
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I prefer the oral banamine. I have no problem giving shots, but the oral banamine means that other people can administer it if I need them to when I’m away. I do have some buscapan on hand as well, I have a mare that occasionally gas colics and buscapan gets her over it quickly. Just make sure if you keep stuff on hand that you periodically check the expiration dates and cycle stuff out as needed.
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We use injectable Banamine administered by mouth. Draw it up in the syringe, remove the needle (sometimes people mistakenly leave the needle on, according to my vet) and squirt into the mouth.
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Depends on the scenario. I have injectable banamine and give it orally or IV depending on circumstance.
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Another person who keeps injectable banamine that I give orally. (And yes, must remember to remove the needle before squirting it between the cheek and gum.)
In the long run, just do the math for your situation.
If you have horses that are generally not using this item, you are only keeping it for an emergency, figure out the cost of a tube of paste, versus a vial of injectable and buy what is cheapest and easiest for you, because you are hopefully more likely to toss it out when it expires than you are to use it.
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Injectable Banamine by mouth. Mix it with something that has a strong flavor as it tastes horrendous. I use applesauce and molasses.
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I give injectable banamine IV. If my plan was to give it orally, I would buy the paste. Injectable banamine has a horrid taste, much worse than the paste.
I use the injectable liquid as I know how to do IV shots. If a farm sitter needs to administer it, I instruct them to give it orally. I’ve never bought the paste.
If you’re unable to, or uninterested in learning how to give IV shots (I know many people that are way too squeamish to try to give IM or IV injections), then I’d recommend buying the paste. No point having the nasty injectable around if you’re never going to use it, it does taste gross.
Thank you for all the responses! I’ve decided that I’m going to order the banamine paste 
How many tubes should I keep on hand? I have 2 horses plus maybe one more.
I would buy one tube.
Again, you are likely to toss it out when it expires.
If something happens that you need more than one tube, you are likely to have the vet out anyway, so can buy more from them.
I don’t know where you are, but it likely requires a prescription to buy.
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Okay, thank you! Yes, I’m getting it through my vet. I’m keeping both banamine and Bute on hand for emergencies and I can’t think if there’s anything else I’m missing? Should I keep ulcerguard on hand, or is that being too much?
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I usually keep three tubes of banamine on hand for three horses. Usually if I need it, I use it for a few days so they get used up pretty quickly. I also almost always use banamine over bute, so I find myself throwing out bute but not ever banamine.
I wouldn’t worry about keeping ulcergard on hand.
My vet has a list of what she suggests you have on hand. Maybe ask your vet if they have one? Or you can google it, too.
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I think it is worth talking to your vet about your horses and what they think is best to have for them on hand for them.
If I was using banamine for more than one tube worth, I would for sure be having the vet out.
But again, this is a great conversation to have with the vet who will be coming out, or not coming out. If they prefer you just medicate for days with out them coming out, then they will suggest you buy more.
When I had a horse, who used banamine regularly for a chronic issue, I kept more on hand.
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I think that’s exactly the way to look at things. My vet is comfortable with my assessment of things so sometimes we agree to dose for a few days and see how things are going before deciding if she needs to come out. But not every vet takes that approach. And not every owner is comfortable with that approach.
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I have both. Absolutely learn how to do IV shots. You can practice with sterile saline.
I had a horse that was a chronic colicker; I would sometimes have to alternate between banamine and dorm all night to keep him stable (per the vet’s instructions). IV banamine is way better for a colic situation. Also you know they get the whole amount and don’t spit it out.
I keep paste on hand for an emergency situation when someone else might have to administer it.
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Keep in mind that injectable Banamine should never be given IM. It has been known to cause severe reaction.
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I prefer the injectable for a couple reasons:
- longer shelflife than paste (doesn’t need refrigeration)
I even had a bottle that froze when I left it in my barn. When it defrosted, there was no discoloration & it was still effective. - For me much easier to give sublingual by syringe
- amount needed is less likely to get spit out & sublingual makes that harder for horse anyhow
Agreed, taste is vile, but followed by a treat, All is Forgiven… At least by my Treatmongers
& 
There are really people who’d forget to take the needle off before dosing orally?
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My vet said so🤷🏼♀️.
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Wow, I’m impressed so many give IV injections; I’m only comfortable with IM. But with banamine I do the injectable orally, for fear of the anaerobic bacterial infection risk noted
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This is why I prefer to the injectable.
I think it is much easier to squirt that small amount of liquid under the tongue or between the cheek and gum than it is to get them to keep the amount of paste required in their mouth.
I too am impressed by those that can do them.
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