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Survey Reveals Equine Drug ChoicesBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 21, 2010
A recent survey of nearly 1,000 equine veterinarians uncovered trends in the use of sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetic drugs.
Veterinarians typically reach for phenylbutazone or flunixin when an anti-inflammatory drug is needed, and lidocaine and mepivacaine for local anesthesia. Combinations of drugs are preferred for standing chemical restraint. There is little need for long-term anesthesia in the field, so drugs effective for short-term anesthesia were used more often. According to researchers, "extra-label use of drugs is a core component of current equine sedation and anesthetic practice."
Members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) were asked to complete an electronic survey. The survey covered seven topics: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; local anesthesia; alternative techniques; standing chemical restraint; epidural anesthesia; short-term anaesthesia; long-term anaesthesia.
Equine Veterinary Journal published the complete article, titled "The use of sedatives, analgesic and anaesthetic drugs in the horse: An electronic survey of members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)," in its September, 2010 issue.
