Use of Previcox

[ponybutler]

Wow, feel like I’ve just taken a ‘previcox [etc.] clinic’; thanks for all the feedback, advice and explanations. I feel much more informed than I was before I read the posts, which is a relief. Ya never know what ya don’t know…until you ask. I’ll continue to monitor my pony (after 25ish years together, we definitely have a good feel for how each is doing e.g. aspect, appetite et al), and have the vet do some blood work when due.

I used to wish I could take my labrador’s ‘Bio-Joint’ (med made in B.C. Canada with mostly ‘natural’ ingredient in a powder…worked better than anti/inflam vet med, in his case); now I am jealous of previcox ;). Thanks everyone!

[Jarpur]

We’ve noticed that one of ours clearly does better on Bute (intermittent use), and have had a similar discussion with our veterinarian.

The horse has never shown any signs of ulcers, with either medication.

[JB]

@Texarkana

She was saying the current thinking is the slightly diminished negative side effects of firocoxib aren’t worth it when the medication doesn’t provide the same level of relief/pain management.

Are you saying she doesn’t think firo is a good choice?

It seems the benefits are just different. I’ve seen too many situations where a horse did better on one than the other (both ways) to think either one isn’t worth it.

That said, my vet does prefer bute as a starter for the more major lameness issues, but doesn’t discount that for a given horse, firo may work better. She doesn’t have a problem starting with firo for lesser lameness issues.

[leheath]

My dad’s horse was on daily previcox for many years (at least 5, possibly more). It made a huge difference in her comfort for shoulder arthritis and various other arthritic joints. She never showed any negative side effects, but she had close to 24/7 access to hay or pasture/grass. She was still being gently ridden (walk only) until she was nearly 29 and we put her down when she was no longer comfortable at 30.

[Texarkana]

@JB

Are you saying she doesn’t think firo is a good choice?

It seems the benefits are just different. I’ve seen too many situations where a horse did better on one than the other (both ways) to think either one isn’t worth it.

That said, my vet does prefer bute as a starter for the more major lameness issues, but doesn’t discount that for a given horse, firo may work better. She doesn’t have a problem starting with firo for lesser lameness issues.

I guess? She was saying she has moved away from prescribing it in most cases and made it sound like her reasoning was more than just her personal preference.

I just added the tidbit to the discussion because I thought it was interesting that @lenapesadie’s vet made a similar statement. Vets are human and all have their opinions, so I am personally curious (in a low key kind of way) to know if this is a small cluster of opinions or new information gaining traction.

[lenapesadie]

I got the impression from my vet that if I had a situation where I was dosing regularly (daily and continuously) for a mild, chronic problem that he might recommend the Previcox. I’m sure if a horse had a known ulcer history or if a horse had a known ulcer type reaction to Bute that vet would take that into account.

My situation was more acute (horse was evidently brewing abscesses, had scary thin soles and my hoof boots were delayed in shipping purgatory). We, vet, farrier and myself, are also operating under the belief that most of my horse’s issues will resolve once his hooves grow out under new farrier. I think that’s different than “this horse has bad arthritis and needs pain management every day until the day he dies”.

But yes, my vet opined that Bute offered more pain management efficacy and that the relative risk of gastro upset was low. Direct quote “Not worried one bit about ulcers”

I did feed my horse Outlast as a precaution (cheap insurance). And he gets mucho turn out and mucho alfalfa hay.

FWIW, my vet is older and has a reputation as the leading orthopedic specialist in our area (the FEI rider I groomed for had him out to her place that is over two hours from his practice regularly). He built the only horse surgery in our area (saving us from having to haul 3 + hours to the vet school). So while not an internationally acclaimed sport horse vet, he’s not some bumpkin sheep vet either.

[BUSY]

@beowulf

Some vets advise 5 days on 2 days off, others suggest a few weeks to a month on, with a week or so off. Some others suggest 6 months on, 1 month off. It depends on vet and region. The reason for this is because one of Previcox’s side effects can be liver and/or kidney damage. I understand this is not followed in every region, but the best practice is running liver/kidney values first before Previcox administration and to do followups - I do them every fall.

There are still ulcer concerns with Previcox, as with any NSAID. It’s my NSAID of choice for maintenance in arthritic horses, though. Like others said, it helped manage comfort in a few geriatric horses who otherwise were stiff without it. I always try to pair it with full access to hay 24/7 (of course, one of them is toothless - ugh) to offset any stomach irritation, and 24/7 turnout for the oldies because the ‘motion is the lotion’ as the saying goes…

^ this !!!
RUN BLOOD BEFORE STARTING AND DURING … LIVER/KIDNEY DAMAGE SHOULD BE A CONCERN !

[JB]

@Texarkana

I am personally curious (in a low key kind of way) to know if this is a small cluster of opinions or new information gaining traction.

Same! I want to know All The Things!

It does stand to reason that a non-selective COX inhibitor offers more pain relief to a larger %

[Wyndwolfe]

This topic has a lot of very good information - both anecdotal and technical. I am firmly of the belief that no one knows a horse as well as the person who sees, cares for and interacts with it on a daily basis, especially if the horse is older. I have a 31 y.o. gelding who is 3/4 TB, and has arthritis. He is on 1/4 of a 227mg pill of Previcox daily, and has been for about 3 years. He is on pasture 24/7 and gets fed ProElite Senior or TC Senior twice a day. He has good teeth, and generally eats well. Occasionally he will leave about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of his feed. I have never been concerned about that, because he does not give any signs of discomfort - and believe me, if he hurts, he lets me know!! My vets have told me basically that Previcox works differently than Bute (as someone has previously explained), as well as is a less powerful pain reliever than Bute. So, if something happens, and he needs more pain relief (he had a cut on the bulb of a front foot recently), I take him off the Previcox, and give him Bute for a few days, then resume the Previcox. Neither of the vets I use has suggested a need to do on and off dosing with Previcox. I have been told that I can increase the dose to 1/2 pill if he has a bad day - which happened a couple of times last winter.

Bottom line, I think that there are varying opinions and preferences among veterinarians about using both Previcox and Bute, and that how either drug works and should be used is based on the individual horse.

[ponybutler]

It sure has been helpful to have had a wide range of advice and opinions; I agree that one key factor is the horse’s ‘continuity of care/main person/ponybutler’ monitoring the situation, and checking bloods for kidney etc. function. My ponita still has good chompers and is keen and alert and walks out eagerly (dragging me along), so that is reassuring, touch wood. The only reason I haven’t ridden her at least at a walk this year is because she wants to GO! My Arabs were like that, but most ponies I’ve known prefer to preserve energy. Also, I’ve gotten mountain biking fit to accommodate my need for speed, and it doesn’t complement riding a horse…in my case, anyway.

Good luck to anyone with an equine on pain meds; I wish I had someone to keep my arthritis at bay to a greater degree!!