Tips for dosing ReBalance

[MyKindaFlower]

My 19(ish) year old draft cross is currently being treated for EPM. We caught it early and his symptoms were mild, and are mostly gone now. His initial treatment was 2 months on Ponazuril and we increased his vitamin E to 10,000 iu. We’re also doing a 3 week course of once weekly immune stimulant injections - I’m afraid I’ve forgotten what the name of that is.

My concern is that current research points to a high incidence of relapse. And my guy has age and metabolic health against him already. He is being managed for IR, PSSM, and PPID. At the moment, his blood work looks pretty decent but this has been a very hot/humid summer for us and that always increases his stress levels - even with careful management.

I’ve decided to follow up his Ponazuril treatment with 90 (+?) days of ReBalance after discussing with his Vet. I’ve been warned that it’s a pain to dose this stuff - it apparently smells awful and tastes worse. At 4ml per 110lbs, his dose will be 55mls per day. He’s not exactly the best at ‘taking his medicine’ and this is not going to be easy.

I thought about using a small amount of Uckele Peppermint Equi Sweet to cut the ewww factor and maybe a bit of carrot baby food or some yogurt to thicken it enough to make it harder to spit out? Any better ideas on what to mix this with - I’d like to avoid too much sugar if possible. Especially given that exercise has been a no-go in this weather - we’re on our 5th heat wave in the last 6 weeks or so and the humidity has made it feel like we’re living in a used sweat sock. He’s not even on 24 hour turnout right now. He’s in a stall with two fans blowing on him from 6 AM until about 5-6 PM.

Any tips? Favorite large dosing syringes for thick liquid/pastes? He’s a big fellow and smart as a whip. I’m afraid that I’m going to end up wearing more of this than he’s actually going to swallow. HELP!

[Sdel]

The bottle says to give the dose at least 1 hour before feeding hay or grain. Based on that, I’m not sure mixing something into it for dosing is a good idea.

[MyKindaFlower]

Thanks Sdel. I’m not sure either because of the fasting thing. My vet’s preference is only an hour’s fast prior to dose and an hour following. I’ve left a message with her to ask if a small amount of flavoring or something to thicken (total of something like 1-2 tablespoons) would be acceptable. If I understand correctly, it is best absorbed on an empty stomach but I’m hoping that a small addition might not make a significant impact.

I sure do wish this stuff came in paste form! The biggest complaint seems to be that horses spit it out about as fast as it gets syringed in. It seems that some people have had luck using a drenching gun instead of a syringe so I’ll look into that option as well.

Does anyone happen to know of a really good drench gun - at least 60mls? I had one for awhile to flush my mare’s mouth out after a dental procedure but it was leaky from the first use. Fine for syringing water with a little salt in the side of her mouth but not very practical when trying to accurately dose a set amount of medication.

[Sdel]

I did it in multiple smaller doses to minimize spillage.

[MyKindaFlower]

That’s a good idea. What size dose did you do at a time?

[Sdel]

I seem to recall I could only get around 10 - 15 mL in at a time, but you have a bigger horse. I also found the bigger syringes awkward and hard to use, which I think contributed to the negative experience.

[Pally]

No experience with this medication, but if you decide to use dosing syringes, you may want to find yourself some of these. https://picovs.ca/products/dosing-sy…IaAjnnEALw_wcB They are a bit shorter and the ring and wings makes them easier to control an press than the standard 60 mL syringe.

[MyKindaFlower]

Thanks Sdel and Pally! The smaller amount might work and I like those syringes with the rings.

I am hoping not but I have a feeling this is going to be a LONG 90 days.