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  Discussion on IM Banamine injections?
Author Message
Member:
gramsey1

Posted on Saturday, Aug 31, 2013 - 10:45 am:

This article is being passed around on social media.

https://horseandman.com/medical/clostridial-myositis-never-give-a-banamine-shot-i nto-the-muscle/

Is this a hoax?
Member:
juliem

Posted on Saturday, Aug 31, 2013 - 1:27 pm:

Not a hoax Guy! Banamine should never be given IM, although I've heard of people getting away with it, but the reaction shown in the article is a VERY real risk. Orally or IV only is my understanding.
Member:
juliem

Posted on Saturday, Aug 31, 2013 - 1:30 pm:

I see Dr. O's article says IV or IM, but that's not what I've been told by the two vets I work with. ASs I said, I've heard of people who've done it with no problem, but also know people who've had reactions like the one in the link you posted.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 2, 2013 - 6:06 pm:

Hey Guys,
Unfortunately Clostridial myositis can happen with almost any IM injection. Allergic reactions and unexpected toxic reactions can occur with drugs given by any route. In each case the use of a drug, including the method of administration, and its potential to do good must be weighed against the potential for harm. Doing a search on flunixin and myositis in PubMed turns up one article and there are 42 years of almost every veterinary publication in the world in PubMed. Interestingly it is a recent article.

However as the report linked to above suggest, reactions may be possible. But I have a problem with it's conclusions. Reading Dr Bedford's article at the bottom you see this statement: it only takes one disaster and you will never give it IM again. Is this a good standard? I have seen horses die of colitis following the use of oral antibiotics. Horses die from anaphylaxis from the use of penicillin. Vaccine reactions including possibly clostridial myositis are not that rare. Using Dr Bedford's standard we would have no vaccines or medical treatments. If banamine is as toxic as the article suggests, is it safe to give IV? If the horse jumps some will be extrasvated and may cause a serious phlebitis?

The insert for Banamine states it is suitable for IM use in horses. There will be research behind that recommendation. My experience from decades of use, including giving 100's of horse owners a syringe of Banamine for IM use for emergency colics, has been one of no problems: no swelling, very uncommon mild soreness, and no abscesses.

Fortunately we now have an alternative: oral flunixin syringes. Flunixin has a wonderful property of very rapid and complete absorption from the bowel and makes a good substitute for IM flunixin and now my preferred choice for cases where IV use is not practical.
DrO
Member:
kathleen

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2013 - 4:59 pm:

DrO. When you say 'oral flunixin syringes' are you talking about liquid banamine in a syringe separate from the injectable kind, or about the tubes of paste, or about using the injectable in a syringe?
Member:
dres

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2013 - 5:56 pm:

thanks Kathy for asking that question .. i was wondering too ... as i have liquid banamine in a vile that i was told to put under the tongue ..
On the first day God created horses , on the second day he painted them spots ..
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2013 - 6:24 pm:

I am talking about the paste but as long as the injectable solution is gotten into the stomach (difficult to do with a small volume of watery fluid) it would probably be effective also.
DrO
Member:
kathleen

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 4, 2013 - 6:38 pm:

Thank you DrO.
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