Bute: How Long

[Tia]

One of our little ponies was caught up in the fence last Thursday and suffered horrendous injuries. It is a bit of a roller-coaster as some days she seems okay and then other days, not. The leg has swollen, then gone down only to swell again. The major wound keeps opening and although not infected still looks very fragile. It obviously hurts her as she does spend time holding the leg right off the ground.

She is on a course of Anti-B's and I have her on bute, however I don't like to keep small ponies on bute for too long, so how long is the maximum that you would leave a lightweight arab measuring only 12.2hh on bute for?

 

[Madam_max]

Not for too long (not much help am I). My mare was on 2 sachets a day for a few months (equine hospital recommendation). She got Colic (the only one time she has). My vet said some horses are like humans and just can't tolerate it long term.

 

[GTs]

When it is showing good consistant signs of improvement - max being a week.

 

[colmio]

What a sad thing to happen.

We had a 12.3 pony who unfortunately had to be on bute for about 15 mos. We were very lucky he was able to tolerate it. I had been told to be very careful of bute use in ponies. We kept a very close eye on his gut function. I was told that as long as he was eating and we were providing lots of long fibres i.e. ad lib hay, he should be ok- and he was! We watched him like hawks, testing for ulcers etc intermittently.It can be a balance of risk and quality of life.

Best of luck to your pony

 

[Thistle]

My ancient 12.2 is on 1 bute a day and will probably be on ar least this much for the rest of his life. Vet says it is ok indefinately as he is so old something elso will prob get him first

 

[mandy4727]

My old gelding has been on bute for about 15 years for arthritis. He gets half a sachet every day but in winter he gets one nearly every day as he does get stiff. No problems over the 15 years but has started to scour quite a bit now which the vet has put down to long term bute use.

 

[Tia]

Thank you everyone; she is on 1g of bute per day at the moment - isn't doing too much to be honest although it seems to be keeping the swelling at bay for the moment.

It is the major wound which does concern me - keeping the infection away for the time-being, but pain is an issue. I am hoping that the wound will cover over at some point in the next few days and then hopefully she should be high and dry. It is definitely touch and go right now though.

She is such a sweet little pony and it would be a dreadful shame if she didn't make it. The vet was incredibly worried about the leg dying - that is one piece of good news - there is warmth in the whole of her leg.

 

[Dougie]

daneilon is supposedly better for them on there guts

 

[pfarrugia]

agree with dougie - if I had to have any of mine on bute i'd put them on danilon. Not so harsh on their tummies so if I had to feed it long term i'd feel happier. Would ask your vet for danilon!