At what point do you give bute??

silvershadow81

silvershadow81

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Just wondered as my girl came in lame the other day and it was suggested I give her some bute....

As I didnt know what was wrong at this time, I didnt give her any, as I needed to see if she would be any better in the morning (should have been travelling for a show).

If I had given her bute, she may have appeared sound, when she truley wasnt....

Now I have pinpointed what is really wrong, should I now give her bute? I am hesitant as am trying to poinpoint a physio to come out asap to her and want them to see what is really wrong with her....
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Just wondered what others do??
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She dosnt have any heat and its not really swollen. Its only intermittent when turned and walking downhill. I just dont want to mask the issue before the physio comes.....
 
yes I have, I know that is is the subscapular nerve which is causing the movement to be hindered.

But wouldnt the physio needs to see her moving like this to be able to decide which type of treatment she will need to be given?

I am just worried that if I give bute before she can get out to see her she will not be able to see a true picture of what is wrong herself. (does that make sense- sorry my brain is a little fuzzy today!!)
 
I think you are right - Ideally, the physio would be better off seeing her without painkillers, so she can make an assessment based on the horse minus any drugs. However, if it is going to be a number of days before the physio can get to you and your horse is in pain then I would give bute. The horse's pain management should come first IMO. You can always withdraw it 24/48 hrs before physio arrives.
 
Thanks Mickey. I agree with the pain management comment. My girl is very sensitive so i always aim to make her as comftable as possible when she is unhappy.

Im am desperatly trying to arrange for someone to come out today or tomorrow... if the appointment is any later i will definatly put her on bute for the time being.
 
agree with GG - bute is a POM and should only be given when the vet says so!

How do you know it is a nerve causing the problems? Do you have a range of diagnostic equipment at your yard?

I would get the vet out asap. The physio cannot prescribe bute anyway.
 
[ QUOTE ]
agree with GG - bute is a POM and should only be given when the vet says so!

[/ QUOTE ]

My vet leaves me with a box of bute for her to give her as and when she needs it (as she is 20 and can feel the ground during the summer). I dont get him out each time i need to give her bute, i think this is the way that most vets work??

We do not have diagnostic equipment at the yard, but due to me owning her for 12 years and knowing my horse quite well, I am lead to believe that it is very similar to a previous incident.... being a trapped Subscapular Nerve which will be confirmed later this afternoon by my vet before I progress to a physio.

The nature of my OP was just asking if people give bute to their horses prior to them being seen by a physio as I think it is better for the physio to see the full extent of the injury?
 
If it was me, I would like the physio to see exactly what was what instead of masking anything.

I am pleased that you explained the bute aspect as I do think that too many people use bute willy nilly. I am always reluctant to use it myself without advise from the vet, regardless of what I think a particular problem may be.
 
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