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  Discussion on Benemine reaction in neck
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Member:
mjq1

Posted on Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 - 10:47 am:

My mare was given 6cc's of Benemine in her neck four days ago for pain related to a leg injury. She now has a swelling on her neck approximately 8" long and 4" wide. It is hot to the touch, but she seems unaffected by it. Should I drain it? What is the protocal for this? She has had benemine shots in the past without any effect.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 - 9:04 pm:

monica, does the horse have a fever? In general non-painful swellings are not infection but that may change. Treatment depends on whether it is developing infection and/or an abscess.

For more on injection reactions and there treatment see Horse Care » Horse Vaccines, Vaccination, Coggins Test » Vaccines and Adverse Reactions. Though it is about vaccine reactions is can apply to other injections. However I would stick with oral NSAID's. For more on assessing swellings of all type see Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses.
DrO
New Member:
jackieo

Posted on Monday, Jan 28, 2008 - 10:49 am:

I would be cautious regarding the reaction. On rare occasions, clostridial bacteria are picked up from the horse's haircoat as the injection needle passes through into the muscle. These bacteria only grow in an environment without oxygen. The muscle damage from the Banamine formulation provides this perfect environment. Clostridial infections in the muscles are life-threatening. Finding a swollen, painful area that is cool to the touch and has the crackling feeling of gas bubbles under the skin is an indication of this very serious infection. You did say that the area is hot, so perhaps not clostridial, but I would DEFINITELY check with my vet. Good luck.
New Member:
lbsalter

Posted on Monday, Jan 28, 2008 - 11:57 am:

Monica, you certainly should keep an eye on whatis going on. As Jackieo indicated, if it truly clostridium, then draining but NOT closing up is the key word. I have a world champion Palomino this happened to from bantamine shot and his neck was like a football within 4 days. He went to a wellknown hospital and he was treated with large doses of antibiotics but the hospital pulled out the drain line the day we came home from the hospital. 2 wks later he started spurting blood occasionaly so we carried him back to the hospital. His juglar vein had been competely deteriotated by the infection and 8 inches of juglar vein removed. This time the proper procedure was done and the incision was left open to drain expect for gause packing. It was flushed by us daily with a soft stream of water and no antibiotics. It was left to heal from the inside out. The incision was at least 8' long and he does not even have a scar now. If he had not been at the hospital WITH the knowledgable surgeon on call, he would have bled out before we got him home. A blood clot was all that was holding it in place. I don't mean to scare you but I don't want you to wait around and then still not get the proper treatment until it is too late. I still have my horse but that was an $8000 vet bill. Good luck
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 - 7:15 am:

Karen,
Banamine (flunixin) is not considered remarkably tissue toxic and so IM injection is acceptable and has a very low rate of complication, but obviously not zero. You may have this confused with phenylbutazone which is not considered OK for IM for this reason.

Betty your reaction sounds more like a IV injection with perhaps inadvertent extravascular injection. However flunixin should not cause such a reaction even if the vein were missed. Whether the injection was contaminated or possibly the vein puncture caused a hematoma/clot which became inflammed/infected is a possible scenerio.
DrO
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