What you should know before using Bute and Banamine
Phenylbutazone (Bute) and flunixin meglumine (Banamine) are the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used by equine veterinarians and horse owners. They are in the same category as aspirin and ibuprofen and are very effective against fever, swelling and inflammation from injuries and infections, laminitis (founder) and musculoskeletal pain. Banamine is very effective against visceral pain and is the medication of choice for colic. Bute and Banamine do not come without side effects. They can potentially do more harm than good if administered improperly. The two organ systems most commonly affected are the kidneys and gastrointestinal systems.
Sick horses are often dehydrated so care must be given when using NSAIDs in these horses. In dehydrated horses, NSAIDS can cause serious, permanent kidney damage. It is a good idea to contact your veterinarian before giving any of these medications. Your horse may need IV fluids to rehydrate prior to safe administration of an NSAID. Take the horse’s rectal temperature before giving these drugs. They are very effective fever reducers and can lower your horse’s temperature. Your veterinarian may want to know if the horse has a fever before you give it.
Pain is an important protective mechanism of the body. A horse with an injured, painful leg will not want to bear full weight on the leg and will be less likely to further injure it. Bute and Banamine relieve pain and inflammation and at times may mask the pain when more aggressive therapy is needed. Banamine and Bute are convenient to have on hand but you should always consult your veterinarian before medicating your horse at home.
Proper dosing is important for effective use of bute and Banamine while minimizing side effects. Banamine should be given at .5mg per pound of body weight in both the intravenous and paste forms. That is equal to 10mls of the injectable Banamine for a 1,000 pound horse. The paste form is dosed by the weight of the horse on the tube. Intravenous administration of Banamine takes effect within 15 minutes and the peak response is 3-4 hours post-injection. The total duration of effect is 8 to 12 hours. Banamine can be given safely at the recommended dose every 12 hours in a healthy, hydrated horse for several days. The importance of following the dose and frequency of administration recommendations is that research has determined the amount that will give the maximal result with the least side effects. Careless or uniformed administration of Banamine can be deleterious to your horse’s health and can lead to death.
Bute comes in injectable, paste, tablet and powder form. The tablets are one gram each, the powder usually comes as one gram per scoop, the paste comes in one gram increments. The injectable form can only go directly in the vein and should only be given by a veterinarian. Administration outside of the vein can cause serious damage to the tissues. The recommended dose for bute is 1 to 2 grams per day. Higher doses can be given for short periods of time as prescribed by a veterinarian. Low doses of bute can be given safely in many horses for weeks or months at a time. The lowest effective dose should always be used. Occasionally horses can suffer side effects even at low doses. Side effects are often manifested in the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. If your horse shows signs of colic, diarrhea, lack of appetite or depression while on bute, contact your veterinarian. Bute is thought to have the highest risk for negative gastrointestinal effects but any NSAID can cause problems. Bute is very effective for musculoskeletal pain.
