Newsdate: May 27, 2025 - 8:30 am
Location: GILROY, California
NSAID's play an important role in helping keep equines pain free and helping to control physical signs of a number of illnesses and conditions. For example, NSAID's may help mask lameness while reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation, but they can also be very harmful to the equine, whether pet or athlete.
Horse trotting out for a lameness exam.
Horse owners should always seek veterinary guidance before administering NSAIDs, especially for extended periods or with other medications..
© 2012 by Mark Sellers New window.
NSAID's can contribute to GI ulcers, diarrhea from colitis and colic, which all may trigger bouts of laminitis. Even short term NSAID use has the potential for renal (kidney) and liver toxicity, and may decrease a horse’s health and performance.
Research has shown that NSAID's may also slow down the healing process of soft tissues. This means that the patient using NSAIDs may look normal and not have pain evident, but the tissue is weaker longer and at a higher risk for re-injury during the extended healing period.
Recent research on NSAIDs in horses focuses on their impact on assisted reproduction, gastrointestinal health, and their interactions with regenerative medicine devices like Pro-Stride APS and Restigen PRP.
One study found that phenylbutazone, a common NSAID, can affect the ability of mare's egg cells to become viable embryos. Another study revealed that NSAIDs, including firocoxib, can still cause gastric ulceration in healthy horses, even with the use of COX-2 selective inhibitors.
Additionally, research is exploring the effects of NSAIDs on the composition of Pro-Stride APS and Restigen PRP, and the potential need to discontinue NSAIDs before collecting blood for these procedures.
Impact on Assisted Reproduction
Resarch at Texas A&M VMBS has shown that phenylbutazone, a commonly prescribed NSAID, can disrupt the development of viable embryos in assisted reproductive procedures. This is significant because assisted reproduction can be expensive and time-consuming for horse owners.
Gastrointestinal Effects
While COX-2 selective NSAIDs like firocoxib (Equioxx) are thought to be safer, studies indicate that even these NSAIDs can cause gastric ulceration in the stomach, although to a lesser extent than with phenylbutazone. Additional research is needed to optimize NSAID use and minimize gastrointestinal risks.
Interaction with Regenerative Medicine
Studies are underway to investigate how NSAIDs might affect the composition of Pro-Stride APS and Restigen PRP, which are used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis. Some research suggests that it may be necessary to discontinue NSAIDs for a period before collecting blood for these procedures.
FDA Approves Generic Firocoxib
The FDA has approved the first generic firocoxib tablets for horses, containing the same active ingredient and dosage as the brand-name Equioxx tablets. This provides another option for treating pain and inflammation in horses, according to the FDA.
Importance of Veterinary Guidance
Veterinarians play a crucial role in prescribing and monitoring NSAID use in horses due to the potential risks associated with these medications. Horse owners should always seek veterinary guidance before administering NSAIDs, especially for extended periods or with other medications
There are other options available for use to treat inflammation and pain. Many of the natural products are very effective while being much safer than prescription NSAID's. Some of these may be herbal, botanical, nutritional, and/or homeopathic blends.
Keep in mind not all “natural” products are safe or effective and some of them will test positive on drug screens.