Equioxx for Horses Dosage & Review: Ensuring Pain-Free Riding

Last updated on March 11th, 2023 at 07:22 am

Equioxx for horses is an anti-inflammatory drug (non-steroidal), used in the control of pain and inflammation that occurs because of osteoarthritis in some horses. Equine osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the joints. With time, it results in the destruction of the articular cartilage. This is the thin layer of connective tissue that lines the ends of long bones to prevent them from rubbing against each other as the horse walks. The condition is very painful and may lead to ligament injuries, secondary fractures, and inability to move. While this condition is not cured, the management of the condition and resulting pain offers the much-needed relief to horses.

Equioxx Tablets for Horses

Equioxx tablets are packed as white crystalline compounds. They are a combination of various compounds with the active ingredient being firocoxib. Each tablet is around 57mg and is put in a packet that contains 60 or 180 tablets. Each tablet is chewable and has a pleasant taste to encourage the horse to consume it whole without spitting it. They should not be administered to horses that have adverse reactions to firocoxib.

As with all medications, it is important that a competent veterinary doctor checks the horse and prescribes the drug before ordering it. The owner should also keep a close eye on the horse for a sign of drug toxicity as contained in the dosage and indications sections of the client information sheet that comes with the package. In addition, the package should be kept in a cool, dry place with temperatures ranging from 59-86°F.

Equioxx Paste for Horses

Apart from the tablets, equinox comes in a lube with a paste consistency and given to horses orally. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Equioxx paste for horses is ideal for horses that cannot chew the tablets for any reason. Most horse owners also claim that the paste is easier to administer than the tablet with an acceptability rate that surpasses 95.3%. The paste is amber in color with similar characteristics as the tablets. Therefore, it should be kept in the same conditions as the tablets.

The active ingredient is a selective inhibitor that targets enzymes prostaglandin synthesis, thereby preventing the onset of pain. Treated horses show improvement in lameness, pain when joints are manipulated, the range of motion for the joint in question, and swelling in the affected areas. The dosage is also similar to the tablet, as explained in the section below.

Equioxx Dosage for Horses

The recommended Equioxx dosage for horses in both tablets and oral paste is 0.1mg per kilogram of body weight (0.045mg/1lb). In most cases, the tablet and paste are usually additional treatment after administration via injection. Where this is the case, the dosage should not exceed nine days. However, if there was no prior injection before administering the medication, a single dosage lasts for 14 days. Studies have shown that toxicity levels rise when the dosage exceeds 30 days. For that reason, it is recommended that it should be stopped after the period.

If you have problems determining the right dosage because of the weight figures, round off the weight to the nearest 50 lb. Administering the dosage does not require you to give any food beforehand or with food. However, it is generally expected that you feed and offer enough water for your horse’s general health.

Equioxx for Horses Long Term Use

Equioxx is approved as a safe drug for long-term use in dealing with osteoarthritis in horses. The only difference is that there is a break in the medication administration for some time to prevent toxicity levels from rising in the blood. The drug is non-steroidal and there are no lasting effects on the horse’s neural system.

However, this does not mean that there might not be serious side effects on the horse with long-term use. It is important that you keep a close eye on the horse for any of the symptoms, especially the very severe ones, and seek veterinary advice before continuing with the drug. Fortunately, a the majority of horses have no problems with the long-term use of the drug,

Equioxx for Horses Side Effects

Here may be one or several side effects from the administration of Equioxx tablets. Unfortunately, most of the side effects can occur with or without warning. Most of the mild side effects happen in the mouth, and the face, but adverse ones may affect vital organs in the body. Here are the common side effects

• Presence of ulcers or sores inside the mouth and on the tongue
• Reddening, scabs, sores, and rubbing of the skin around the mouth
• Change in both drinking and eating habits in terms of the amount of food and the frequency of feeding
• Change in the color of the urine and the frequency of urination
• Yellowing of eyes, whites, gums, and skin (presence of jaundice)
• Unexpected weight loss
• Increased or decreased activity a few days from the start of the dosage (excitation or lethargy)
• Diarrhea or slightly loose stool

Adverse reactions may include problems with the kidney, liver, or other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. This may be indicated by the aggravation of the common symptoms such as jaundice (liver problem), inability to eat (gastrointestinal problems), and change in urination color and behavior to a point where it looks to be in pain. If you determine or suspect any of the adverse effects, discontinue the dosage and contact your vet.

Conclusion

Equioxx for horses is an effective, FDA approved treatment for symptoms resulting from osteoarthritis in horses. It is usually administered in breaks of 14 to 30 days to prevent raising the blood’s toxicity levels. It is important that horse owners keep a close eye on the horse for any serious adverse effects and contact the vet for advice. The medication can be used for the long term but under the direction of the vet. It is also important to have the horse evaluated before administering the drug and after administering the medication for some time. You can use the injection, tablets, or paste with similar effectiveness.