bute alternatives

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colouredhat

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After a fall my horses hock swelled considerably and after cold hosing and bute for 2weeks, the xray showed a small spavin.
The vets advice was box rest for 16days putting ice on the leg 3times a day. This did nothing. Poor boy just lost condition and got bored.
Vet then said turnout on a postage stamp, which he now has been for 2weeks. The hock swelling slowly reduced, as did the remaining heat. All of this was on 1bute sachet a day.
I am now trying to reduce to 1/2 a sachet a day, and he seems fine in himself, not lame, but ... the heat is creeping back!
What can i use to reduce swelling/heat longterm?
The vet wants him to start controlled exercise in 2weeks time, and i'm not sure i want to do this on bute! Surely he wont feel if its hurting?
Any suggestions or thoughts?
 
The heat is a result of damage, inflamation and the natural healing processes - it's a fundamental physiology of how the body works.

I would keep him on the bute as directed by the vet, as it's purpose is to assist with pain relief and reduce swelling - all of which in turn will reduce heat (as the body continues to heal).
 
colouredhat said:
How long should i keep him on bute for though? I just don't want to use it indefinately.
Can i use anything natural that is anti inflammatory?
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I'm assuming that your vet has given you a course of Bute to use, with directions on what dosage to give. Once the course if finished your vet should then reasses and go from there. That is not indefinate use - but prescribed use.

Can't see any reason to use anything else when it's been prescribed to do a specific job.
 
My horse has spavins and personally I wouldn't be worried about exercising her on bute. Exercise helps horses with spavins and keeps them from stiffening up - the more exercise we can give them, whether ridden exercise especially long slow hacks or turnout, the better for their health. If we have to give them bute to enable them to do this exercise comfortably, so be it.
I understand that you are worried about the bute stopping your horse from feeling pain and protecting himself, but if he protects himself he won't make the movement that he needs to prevent stiffness and feel better, so it's a catch 22. Your vet has taken x-rays and established that your horse isn't going to damage himself further by moving about.
I really do understand where you are coming from and it is hard but honestly you aren't hurting your horse. You are following your vet's advice and doing the best thing for him. Perhaps you would be more comfortable with giving your horse a more gradual (but still buted) reintroduction to exercise by long reining first before you get on.
There are alternatives to bute such as devils claw but in the initial stages of treatment to arthritis the anti-inflammatory properties of bute will be much better for your horse, which is why your vet has recommended that and not devil's claw. Long term, it is entirely possible that your horse may be on no medication, bute or alternative - my horse is just on joint supplements. Ask your vet. I would stick to the regimen that your vet has recommended for now - after all, he is the expert, and that is what you are paying him for.
I hope this helps. I know it's tough because I've been there but sometimes you do have to mask pain so that you can get the freedom of movement back. It is kinder in the long run otherwise your vet wouldn't be recommending it.
 
well you can use danylon which is better for the horses stomach or nobute arnica creme directly on the hock and you can give arnica orally tho just check with the vet first

I made this gadget which i will show you on you tube which enables hosing without you having to actually stand there
drill holes in a piece of the hose 1 cm holes in the hose in a straight line on the inside bit obviously but 3/4 down you can leave a Haynet and turn water on hose soaks leg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra7zViOC8bw
it leaves you hands free.and horse gets even stream of cold water whic thus helps reduces heat and swelling

you can also get leg ice and rub it on hock to help remove heat
 
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My horse has been on Danilon for 11+ years, I wouldn't worry short term, if he needs it use it, it will help with the inflamation and pain
 
colouredhat said:
How long should i keep him on bute for though? I just don't want to use it indefinately.
Can i use anything natural that is anti inflammatory?
Click to expand...


Why would a "natural" product be better anyway? Natural doesn't mean safe. It also often means that it hasn't been fully tested and therefore shown to be effective in a controlled scientific study. I share your concerns regarding bute and exercising whilst using bute, but that doesn't make the alternatives any better. The heat and inflammation is part of the healing process, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Some light exercise will also be beneficial. I imagine your vet will not instruct you to jump straight in at the deep end with heavy, fast work, so I don't think you need to worry if he's on bute when it starts.
 
My horse has mild spavin and he's as sound as a pound!- have you considered joint injections if it definitely the changes on the x ray causing the lameness and not the result of the fall?

mine gets his hocks medicated with a long acting cortisone once to twice per year, and combined with Cortaflex in his feed and good shoeing, and plenty of varied work to keep his muscles strong.

If theres heat in the joint, pherhaps it's a bit of bruising?- have you tried cold hosing and applying a liniment or gel with witch hazel/arnica in?
, i use the sore no more one on mine if they've had a knock or bang or have worked hard- although there are plenty of others available on the market!

Also may be worth trying a drop of linseed oil? and a joint supplement. There are also bute free types of supplements you can get which are given short term for knocks/injuries- i gave on of mine one a few months ago and it worked really well and made him more comfortable.

Good luck hope he gets better soon!
 
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