Advice needed re Bute - should I use it?

M

mle22

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 July 2008
Messages
1,671
Visit site
We have a pony who went lame when he was only 8 with ringbone and side bone. He has been retired since and is now 15 and generally enjoys life. He is however becoming progressivly lamer and is quite stiff and 'cripply'. He lives out all summer and comes in at night during the winter. He can trot and occassionally does a little canter and buck, but looking at him he does appear very lame all the time. He seems happy and is always getting into trouble, breaking in to the feed store etc. I suppose what I'm asking is - would it be a good idea to put him onto some bute. I didn't want to do it too soon as i'm aware that long term bute has other detrimental effects. Any advice appreciated.
 
I haven't consulted the vet yet tbh- I suppose I should really! It's a question of deciding when he needs a bit of pain relief, as I said he seems very happy in himself, but I can see that he is getting worse but I don't want to put him on drugs before he really needs them. Does anyone have experience of horse on bute for a long time? any problems with it?
 
It might be an idea to try your pony on No Bute or Buteless first of all as these supplements do not have as bad side effects long-term as normal bute does.
 
The first thing I would do (and have done being in a similar position) is to consult your vet. Ask him what he thinks - he may tell you that the kindest thing is to put the horse down - he may say let's try him on a bute a day and see how it goes.

As for long term effects - they don't really come in to the equation. It's about quality of life not quantity.
 
I would strongly recommend Herbal Bute, as Bute alongside many other drugs can be very harsh internally - if you think horses were never originally designed to take these drugs hundreds of years ago...

I have heard better reviews from Herbal Bute as opposed to normal Bute!
 
I see where you are coming from AmyMay - but I think he has many more years left in him yet - he never gives any impression of being depressed or less than totally in love with life, so I suppose I was concerned of giving him not only quality but quantity as well. It is however coming to the stage where I feel he needs a bit of pain relief so that he continues to be the little dynamic personality he always has been.
 
I'm going to be blunt.

Your horse - from your description - sounds as if it would benefit from immediate veterinary support.

A horse described as 'cripply' should not be messed around with herbal suppliments - you would be wiser to spend the money on a vet consult. Further a horse can live many happy years supported by Bute (although Danillon would be better).

I do hope that you take some sage advise and make an appointment sooner rather than later.
 
[ QUOTE ]
A horse described as 'cripply' should not be messed around with herbal suppliments - you would be wiser to spend the money on a vet consult. Further a horse can live many happy years supported by Bute (although Danillon would be better).

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree AmyMay. Also that Danilon is a better alternative to Bute for longterm use.
 
You keep saying you don't want to resort to painkillers until it is really necessary, at what point will you consider it is really necessary - it sounds to me like you have a pony who is in some considerable discomfort and modern drugs would help him live a few more years in less discomfort.

Will you wait until he lies down in the field all day ?
 
I am an extremely caring, thoughtful and experienced owner that does not hesitate to spend money on a vet consult when needed. My animals are all extremely well looked after. The pony is happy and enjoys life - perhaps in the same way that a person with chronic back pain can still be happy and enjoy life. I resent people implying that I am being in some way negligent or cruel to this pony - the pony has been x-rayed, treated with every medicine I could get my hands on including conventional and homeopathic and reiki - the only thing I didn't do was put him through an operation as the prognosis was not hopeful for it. I was reluctant to have him on bute before necessary - and wanted to see if anyone had good or bad experiences of long term bute use. I really resent some of the comments made - he is a very long way off lying down in the field - this morning I had to chase him out of the paddock where the best grass is as he felt he should really be in there instead of out with the others. Last night he was cantering up and down the fence because he wanted to come in out of the rain. I'm sorry I asked!!
 
If he was only mildly uncomfortable I wouldn't be asking about long term bute use - however neither is he on his last legs and he certainly still has a long life ahead of him during which he will continue be treated appropriately and with a graet deal of thought and care. I do think he is now at the stage of needed some pain relief and need to decide between herbal and bute, which I will do. He is a part of our family and if he could talk would be saying -" 'kinder to put me to sleep!!' - b****r off, I've got grass to eat!!"
 
I'm quite stiff and cripply in the mornings and I don't take anything for the pain!!! In fact I felt about 102 at the weekend after I'd been lugging some breeze blocks around!

I think OP maybe didn't use the best terminology to describe how her horse, kinda sound worse than he is, but IMO its obvious she cares a lot about this pony and wants to do the best for it!!

There are issues with bute long term so I really would try the herbal route first to see if this makes a difference!! I haven't used it as the mare we wanted to try it on is in foal so can't have it, so I'm afraid I can't say from experience.

But good luck with him. Sounds like he has been lucky to have been kept and well looked after once retired rather than sold off cheaply at sales as a lot are!!
 
Thank you to everyone who took time to reply - I did become annoyed because this pony has had seven years of very happy retirement and I hope will have many more. I would always do what is best for him as I would for all our animals. I will consult with our vet and see if she suggests bute or herbal at this stage. Thanks Foxfolly - you are right, perhaps my initial description was inaccurate and you got exactly what I meant - it is more that it takes him longer to get going in the mornings - a bit like myself! He is shod to help with the breakover, but I think it's more now that the shoulder has stiffened up.
 
You obviously love your pony and are trying to do your best for him. The problem is that, unless you have had it, it is easy to under-estimate the pain arthritis can cause. It can be anything from a slight feeling of stiffness/soreness around joints to the sort of agony that makes you want not to move - ever again.

Only you (and perhaps your vet) can guess at how far along this line your pony is, but I would guess that if you are asking then it is far enough that serious pain killers (i.e. bute or danilon) are necessary to preserve his quality of life.
 
thanks atwork I agree it is hard to estimate the level of pain/discomfort - I suppose I have always gone by his attitude - which is very positive and he never looks sorry for himself - his appearance and condition are very good, his eyes bright and as I've said, he is mischievous and alert and full of himself. But you are right, the fact that I am asking indicates that he needs something at this stage.
 
My arthritic horse (who's now 24) has been on Danilon for about 3 years now. Originally every other day and more recently every day. He has regular vet checks and he's had no side affects from it.
When he started getting a bit stiff I gave him devils claw but as it got worse I consulted my vet who thought it wise to prescribe Danilon.
I can understand your reluctance to start giving your horse medication, I didn't want to either because like you, I was worried about the long term affects, fortunately my boy has been alright.
 
That;s good to hear sunnymane - I wasn't sure how long you could expect to be able to keep them on that kind of medication without serious side effects. Thanks
 
i had a horse n the same situation and i did not want to put her on bute long term so i put her on feedmarks zero bute and she was on that for 6 years before i had her pts as her condition had deterioated and so did her quality of live but i would defenitaly consider giving it a try and good luck with your pony seems to be a very luck boy with such a caring and understanding of him
http://www.feedmark.com/Product.asp?ProductID=15&CatID=1&LangID=1
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top