AN ALTERNATIVE TO BUTE

Zuzzie

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I thought I would share this which I was not aware of (sorry if you already know and if I'm being dim!).

My horse has arthritis in his fetlock. Unfortunately his gut can't tolerate Bute very well - he gets a terrible squitty bum which needs washing 2 or 3 times a day. Obviously, I'm worried that he will end up with ulcers so when I saw the vet today I asked if there was anything else I could give him. Apparently, wonder of wonders, you can rub in Volterol or Ibuprofen gel or cream (the same stuff you buy over the counter for yourself) - you need to get it into the skin through the hair so if your horse is particularly hairy you would have to clip. The only drawback is that it has a drying effect (just as it would on you) so the skin can become a little flaky but this can be sorted by rubbing in a moisturiser later.
I'm told that the gel or cream should contain Diclofenac.
 
Ibuprofen gel does not contain Diclofenac sodium.
In the US Diclofenac sodium gel is licenced for use in horses (but very difficult to find for humans!!) while I believe Diphyne is the main human one in the UK (there is no equine equivilant).
Yes it is effective in many cases(and could be an alternative in certain cases) but bute is often more effective and more practical for use.
 
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