Tag Archives: NSAIDs

Healthy Horse Tip – As USEF NSAID Rules Change It’s Time to Go Organic

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may help mask lameness while reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation, but they can also be very harmful to the equine, whether pet or athlete.

NSAIDs 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 NSAIDs 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.

The USEF now requires an “NSAID Disclosure form” to be filed with the Steward/Technical Delegate if more than one NSAID is used during a competition or in the five days preceding a USEF competition.  The use of Bute and Banamine together is currently prohibited.  Starting December 1, 2011, the presence of only one NSAID will be allowed!  The seven NSAIDs currently allowed with quantitative restrictions are Bute, Banamine, Naproxen, Ketofen, Arquel, Equioxx, and topical Surpass.

Continue reading Healthy Horse Tip – As USEF NSAID Rules Change It’s Time to Go Organic

As USEF NSAID Rules Change, It’s Time to Go Organic

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may help mask lameness while reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation, but they can also be very harmful to the equine athlete.  NSAIDs can contribute to GI ulcers and colic, renal and liver toxicity, and decrease a horse’s health and performance.

The USEF now requires a “NSAID Disclosure form” to be filed with the Steward/Technical Delegate if more than one NSAID is used during a competition or in the 5 days preceding a USEF competition.  Starting December 1, 2011, the presence of only one NSAID will be allowed!  The seven NSAIDs currently allowed with quantitative restrictions are Bute, Banamine, Naproxen, Ketofen, Arquel, Equioxx, and topical Surpass.

KAM Animal Services offers FRE Choice Liquid as a safe effective NSAID alternative.  FRE Liquid has been used in show and race horses for years with great success and is veterinarian tested and endorsed.  It has none of the negative side effects or risks that the above NSAIDs are known for.

Continue reading As USEF NSAID Rules Change, It’s Time to Go Organic

FEI President Welcomes “Long Overdue” Congress on NSAIDs

FEI President HRH Princess Haya gives the opening address at the FEI Congress on NSAID Usage and Medication in the Equine Athlete. (Photograph: Patrick Luscher/FEI)

16 August 2010 – FEI President HRH Princess Haya welcomed the FEI initiative to hold a Congress on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Usage and Medication in the Equine Athlete, declaring it as long overdue and the first real opportunity to bring together all the new science on NSAIDs since the FEI’s 1993 ban on their use in competition.

“Knowledge and an understanding of all aspects in the debate on NSAIDs is key to an informed decision,” the FEI President stated in her opening address. “What we all most want from this Congress above all else is to give us, the FEI family, the tools and the confidence to have the wisdom to do what we all so clearly have shown we want to do – that is what is right for our partner, the horse,” she said, emphasising the universal message of the Congress and the paramount principle of the sport, the welfare of the horse.

The President was speaking at the first day of the Congress, which is being held in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. During today’s three sessions, 12 leading research experts outlined the current state of knowledge on NSAIDs to over 200 Congress participants representing 29 nationalities.

Congress participants heard that there is a substantial amount of new scientific evidence on the nature of NSAIDs, including improved ways of detecting them, their effect on the body and their side effects, as well as the effect of low levels of intake and combining different NSAIDs.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=11891

Updated Timetable & Feedback Opportunity for FEI Congress on In-competition Use of NSAIDs

4 August 2010 – An updated timetable for the FEI global Congress on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Usage and Medication in the Equine Athlete, which will be held at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland on 16 and 17 August 2010 is now available here.

All stakeholders who wish to record their views or share relevant information with the FEI on this important debate, including organisers, athletes, sponsors or media, are invited to send an email to nsaidcongress2010@fei.org.

All comments will be recorded and the feedback opportunity will remain available until immediately before the FEI General Assembly in November, when the vote on the in-competition use of NSAIDs will take place.

Media Contact:

Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org