When I started the epitalis forte on my gelding, he was a little iffy about it, it is a gel and 8 ccs is about 1 3/4 teaspoon. That is the loading dose, for two weeks, and then you go to 4 cc daily. The stuff is quite expensive so after the first day I mixed a 1/2 tablespoon of maple syrup in with it ( poured it right onto the gel in his feed bucket) and stirred it in.I feed one cup beet pulp soaked overnight, then add their vitamins or supplements to that, and they generally scarf it up. Makes it easy to add other stuff as they are used to getting this little “mash” every morning. I add my psyllium pellets to it every month( just before feeding) and they clean it up. If they are hesitant, I stir in a tiny bit of maple syrup and they usually gets them consuming every bite.
I forgot to say…it is an everyday thing.
Another update: I competed on Saturday, a different discipline to our usual para dressage. Unicorn was HOT, like no spurs needed hot. Didn’t think we were going to get in the ring but he worked through it. That isn’t his norm, so perhaps he’s feeling good? Has another pentosan shot tomorrow and a champs show this weekend.
Just wanted to update this post with my experience with Pentosan purchased through racehorsemeds.com. I bought and received Pentosan which I administered via IM 6cc injection. My 6yo OTTB suffered edema at the injection site, lethargy and subsequent hives. I called racehorsemeds.com who asked me for the lot #. As I was giving it to them I noticed the exp. date was from the previous year! Note to self: always look at your label before giving meds! I received a call back from a rep that said due to this common reaction, it was now recommended to be given IV. She said they would refund me and send a new supply. When I received that shipment, the directions said to administer IM! I called and emailed with no reply.
Racehorsemeds.com rep said during the 1st phone call that the label manufacturers printed the expiration label incorrectly. Ok, sure.
My OTTB did get this med in his system and, although he suffered a severe reaction to it, I noticed absolutely no beneficial effects.
I don’t recommend this product.
I am not going to give my horse this med again.
I would NOT count this experience as typical. I bought ONCE from that company and had the same issue and the SAME RESPONSE!?!?! My feeling - WTF? If my horse has a reaction to IM, there is no way (actually, my language was much strong then that) I would consider going IV with it, especially since NO VET I talked to indicated IV was acceptable. This company should be shut down, I swear they are hazardous to a horse’s health.
Because I had used Pentosan before with positive results, I went back to my safe source - costs more and requires a prescription, but it also didn’t make my horse sick, and have been happily using it for years.
I don’t know what this company (racehorseonline/prerace) puts in their stuff, but my warning to anyone - run, run, run away!
