[hermonine]

I agree with everybody to call a vet just incase and take away his food for it could make it worse. Better safe than sorry. It could be the beginning signs of colic. I always listen to my horses stomach to see if I can hear any gurgling noises. If you don't hear anything it usually means they are impacted. Your horse could also be dehydrated so like the others said lift the skin on this neck and see how fast it goes back. If it goes back slowly he is probably dehydrated. Check his water to make sure it is cold and clean. Horses don't like to drink warm dirty water and sometimes will dehydrate themselves if it is like that. If this is the case I like to give my horses wet bran mixed with mineral oil just until the vet comes and it seems to help them a bit.

[JBandRio]

Ryle, how long does oral banamine take to work (if it's going to work), vs IV vs IM?

Kicks, I understand the vet's great reluctance to use it IM (as is mine), but given the choice between IM, or, as Ryle suggested is a possibility, poor uptake when given orally, would she still say go oral?

[Kicks]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Ryle, how long does oral banamine take to work (if it's going to work), vs IV vs IM?

Kicks, I understand the vet's great reluctance to use it IM (as is mine), but given the choice between IM, or, as Ryle suggested is a possibility, poor uptake when given orally, would she still say go oral?

Actually my Vet did say absolutely not to ever give IM - period. Thinking about it, it was several years ago and IF I remember correctly it was generic Banamine that was having 'problems', At that time and she said she was having trouble getting non-generic. Since then I've never asked her again - just did IV or oral.

I do greatly appreciate all the info that Ryle gives us - that's why I put "HMM" as in thinking about it.

[horse_mom]

call the vet and take all his food away!!!
i dunno what other ppl will say but you can try giving him some mineral oil

[shawnee1020]

I have in the past for colic, given banimine paste according to weight and called the vet immediately. I know vets can take a long time to come and I learned the hard way. It took 4 hr for the vet to come for a colicing horse and she ended up having to go to the hospital. I was told to keep the banimine paste just to ease the pain while waiting.
Colic is my biggest fear ever.
Good luck and best wishes for your horse.

[JBandRio]

Just fyi, not that anybody said they were, but useful to know - if you suspect dehydration as a cause/contributor to/result of anything, *do not* administer banamine, as you can quickly start damaging the kidneys.

[WashingtonBay]

I have in the past for colic, given banimine paste according to weight and called the vet immediately. I know vets can take a long time to come and I learned the hard way. It took 4 hr for the vet to come for a colicing horse

Since the vet was 4 hours out that was a good choice. However, I think it's generally best to call the vet first before giving any oral banamine. Because if the vet can come right away, an IV would be better and faster, but if you've already given it orally, he can't give more. You've limited the range of treatment that can be given and potentially slowed down the relief for your horse.

So find out first if the vet is coming right away or will be delayed, and ask the vet's advice about dosing in the mean-time.

[Ryle]

IV Banamine will start providing relief within 15 minutes. Oral Bamamine's onset of action is within 2 hours.

[AintNoSaint]

At the vet hospital I worked at, it was also "no IM banamine, ever!" The chance of abscess and infection at the injection site was a risk they were not willing to take. I actually read an article (I think it was in Equus) last year about a horse who received banamine IM in the hind end (administered by a veterinarian for colic). While the colic episode resolved, this mare ended up with a very nasty infection from the injection in which most of the skin on her hind end came off. It was awful.
So my vets would say that although IV is ideal, go with the PO (oral) before IM.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Ryle

IV Banamine will start providing relief within 15 minutes. Oral Bamamine's onset of action is within 2 hours.

I figured as much. So, if I'm going to weigh the risks of a possible gas colic causing a torsion, vs clostridial infection, I think I'll take my chances with IM banamine.

But, that is also why I have had my vet show me, and I will practice every time she is here for bi-annual checks, how to do a IV stick. I want to avoid IM banamine if at all possible, but I won't avoid it to take a bigger chance of the above colic issue.