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  Discussion on Use of Bute over extended time period on OTTB
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Member:
Tamyslat

Posted on Friday, Oct 29, 2004 - 12:48 pm:

I have a 17 year old TB who ran 85 races, then worked as a lead pony, then worked in a show barn as a lesson horse and about 4 years ago was my Christmas present. He seems to be quite healthy (knock wood). I know that the trainer who bought him off teh track gave him Bute regularly. WHen I moved him to a new farm the fall of 2000 he went on all day turnout and I am generally his only rider, once a week. I have only given him Bute once or twice.
Once in a while when he is shod his feet are a little warm and he seems a little sore. I have given him BUte at this point and i have other folks tell me that with his history I should give him Bute more often.
I guess my thinking is that he has had enough BUte in his lifetime and I have never heard that it will help with any arthritis he may have developed. I regularly give him MSM and have started him on Omega oil.
What advice can you give me?
Thanks
Tamy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 29, 2004 - 7:10 pm:

Hello Tamy,
The effects of phenylbutazone are not long term cumulative. The fact that he has had bute in years past has nothing to do with what is safe now. On the other hand using bute to cover up problems that could be better addressed through better management is foolish. Concerning specific concerns you state:

1) The MSM is a waste of cash. For more on the long term use of bute a far more effective antiinflammatory see Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Phenylbutazone (Bute)
2) For the treatment of sensitive feet following shoeing see Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Problems Following Shoeing or Trimming.
3) For the treatment of chronic arthritis see Equine Diseases » Lameness » Joint & Bone Diseases » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview
DrO

Member:
Tamyslat

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 2, 2004 - 4:24 pm:

Thanks.
The study about causes of arthritis was somewhat comforting. I have also been reading some test results done with various supplements including MSM. I Also read about soreness after trimming and that is also reassuring.
My horse doesn't really act stiff, perhaps now and then in the morning when he has been in his stall all night, but he is turned out for the day and is still easily the most active in the herd. He is not the youngest, but the liveliest.
THanks again for the info.
Member:
Bajamari

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 3, 2004 - 3:55 pm:

Dear Dr. Oglesby, I live in Baja Mexico near La Paz. I have run into a problem with getting my horses vaccinated for West Nile Virus. So far there have been no cases south of Tijuana. Most horse people though are getting their horses vaccinated. Last year I contacted a vet in La Paz (about 50 miles away). He said that the vaccine comes in 10 dose bottles and that I must get 8 other horses and he will give them the vaccine. I dont have eight other horses nearby and I have tried to get him to come out for a year. he says the vaccine does not keep and he must do all 10 horses together. I will be in California at christmas, can I get the vaccine in one dose bottles and bring it back here and do the shots myself. If I can where will I be able to buy it, from a vetinarian?
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 3, 2004 - 4:26 pm:

Hello Jose,

I thought I might respond until you hear from Dr. O, I know I can buy WNV vaccine at feed stores right now due to WNV being at epidemic proportions in California right now, but as far as taking it across the border...I don't know.

Good Luck!
Member:
Bajamari

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 8:39 am:

Thankyou Aileen, that gives me a starting point. We've had no WNV south of Tijuana but its all over mainland Mexico. They handle it in typical mexican style tell you its an emergency and that you should innoculate your horses and then make the vaccine unavailable.

Thanks again Mari
Member:
Ladera

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 1:46 pm:

Broken Horn Saddlery in Balwin Park, California sells the west nile virus without a veternarian prescripton. A vial sells for about 26 dollars. I do know that the vaccine needs to be refigerated
You can find their contact information at www.brokenhornsaddlery.com. They are located east of Los Angles, Ca.
Good Luck
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 9, 2004 - 8:46 am:

Mari, the above folks have more familiarity with what you are likely to encounter than I do. I would like to interject that the vet you spoke with is not correct about the shelf life of the vaccine. If you go pick it up, there is no reason he could not remove one dose and sell it to you, this does not shorten the lifespan of the rest of the bottle of vaccine.
DrO
Member:
Rose1

Posted on Friday, Nov 12, 2004 - 2:03 pm:

Charley is a 25 something horse. I know little of Charley's early life. He trips and cold weather can leave him a bit stiff. Sounds like old age but, I mentioned it to his Vet anyway at his annual. The Doctor suggested Bute two days before and the morning of a trail ride. He is already given Fluid-Flex.
Charley is an easy keeper he'll eat just about anything I offer but, he "hates" Bute tablets. The smell of it makes him frown and wince.
This is my question.....the day after we rode after he'd had the bute he was stiff and uncomfortable like a hang over. I have not given him bute again.
Is is just this horse it dosn't agree with?
Regards,
Rose
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 14, 2004 - 9:04 am:

No most horses don't like it, it tastes bitter.
DrO
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2004 - 9:08 pm:

Bute is available in an apple flavored powder. Was your horse comfortable on the trail ride you took with the bute on board?
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