Topicals for pain relief

[Obsidian_Fire]

As the title says. I’ve got a mare with KS and I need to find something “more” to help manage. She last had injections late January. She is sore again. Her saddle is well fitted and she is on daily methocarbamol.
I am thinking to try OTC Voltaren gel (Surpass, but in human form). I have an arnica/dmso gel also I can use. I am willing to try a CBD cream IF I can find something that is what it says it is.
Even a lidocaine rub, like Aspercreme.

Grasping at straws I suppose.

Thoughts anyone?

[Feathered_Feet]

The human voltaren is supposed to be not as well absorbed by horses as the horse formulation. There is a study floating around (that has been cited on these forums) that demonstrates absoprtion of various formulations in horses. I’ve used the human version and have seen results, so it does something but you should assume it’s less efficacious (and might then need to use more and/or administer more frequently). But if your horse is truly suffering from KS pain, I don’t think there is any topical out there that is going to help enough.

Not exactly what you asked, but honestly, if your horse is sore that quickly after (presumably steroid) injections, you might consider either 1) other more invasive options such as surgery (what have you tried so far?), or 2) other sources of pain that then radiate and show up in the back. Have you radiographed the hind feet? Negative angles in the hind feet can absolutely show up as back pain (ask me how I know!), as can neck pain. I would join the facebook group on KS in horses if you haven’t already. Lots of knowledge in there. KS is such an easy diagnosis as it’s easy to tell when a horse is back sore, and easy to “confirm” with radiographs, even though the back pain might be secondary to something else.

I have a horse diagnosed with (admittedly mild) KS that seems to be resolving itself with a “physical therapy” approach combined with fixing NPA in the hind feet. Like you, I injected the back on my horse thinking that was the issue, but a few weeks later the horse was uncomfortable again. I switched to a physical therapy approach (teaching proper posture, core strengthening, etc) while I waited for the NPA to resolve, and every time I fix the feet (changed farriers, put wedges on, took wedges down, put them back on), the horse changed accordingly - got better, better even yet, got worse, and then better again - so I am 95% sure most of my horse’s pain was foot related, and the KS was just a red herring (TBD if this is true over the long term, but right now am I thrilled how much better she feels after just fixing the feet).

[Obsidian_Fire]

Thanks for the answer. I remember your threads on NPA etc and I’m one who answered you. I’ve got other threads out here about NPA etc.
So. Not going there with this thread. Just looking to keep mare happy while we work our PT program. Anything I can do to get ahead and stay ahead of pain I will do!

[IPEsq]

Surpass / Voltaren won’t hurt but you would have to use a lot if she’s got several sites with KS. And it does not penetrate very deep, and would probably require 3x day application for that kind of issue. I use it on myself and am familiar with it. If you want anti-inflammatory, you might be better off with something systemic. If she doesn’t respond to systemic drugs, then Voltaren, a topical NSAID, is unlikely to help either. What it can help with is avoiding some GI side effects and such, but it’s got to be pain that would be somewhat close to the surface and respond to NSAID therapy generally.

If it’s muscle pain, you might do better with liniments or a liniment with CBD. But considering injections didn’t last long, your best bet might have to be surgery or more steroids until you have the muscle mass and strength built.

[Feathered_Feet]

Well good luck! It’s a hard ask since there really aren’t a lot of options that work for pain that even steroids didn’t help much, and certainly even fewer for topical applications. You might ask your vet about DMSO preparations they use, perhaps there’s some DMSO/diclofenac type combos that could help the diclofenac penetrate more deeply. But honestly, I would probably just pay for the Surpass if that were the case and make sure it’s got the best chance to be absorbed.

[joiedevie99]

I would not expect any topical to penetrate far enough to have any impact on KS. I assume you’ve considered shockwave?

[Obsidian_Fire]

I am considering it. I need to talk with my vet.

[walkinthewalk]

I had a horse on Methocarbomol when he fractured his sacrum for the second time but I only left him on it for ten days.

Thankfully I have never dealt with kissing spine BUT the equine chiropractor/acupuncturist was a tremendous help as was the red light therapy pad for my horse’s back and the arthritis buildup.

The chiro was here monthly. I used the therapy pad daily. Mine was a 2006? Model, 6” x 9”. It was working great until it fell in a bucket of water in 2021, which was my carelessness.

The company quickly sent me a replacement, which has already paid for itself because I also use it on me.

Well worth the investment, IMHO. It’s also made in the U.S.A.

"Gospel's" Small Light Therapy Pad (No Case) — According to "Gospel"...Equine...