Bute is incredibly
toxic to minis, and for some reason a lot of vets
out there don't realize this. Not only is there a
very narrow safety margin, i.e. you have to be very
accurate at dosing them, but there are minis who
will have problems even at the correct dose. It should
be given at 1mg per pound body weight, which means
most minis will get 150 mg to 250 mg--1/4 tablet
or less. A lot of vets seem to think the average
mini weighs 500 pounds and have owners give 1/2 tablet
twice daily. ARGGGG!!!
Bute toxicity can cause severe gastric and intestinal
ulceration, to the point of perforation and death (in
as little as 5-7 days), kidney and liver damage, bone
marrow suppression, and lowered blood protein levels.
That said, I have used bute on selected minis for laminities,
but at a low dose and for short periods of time. For
almost everything else I use Banamine (which can also
cause problems if dosed too high or too long, but has
a wider safety margin)
From Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook:
QUOTE
Adverse effects: Horses: oral and GI erosions and ulcers,
hypoalbuminemia, diarrhea, anorexia, and renal (KIDNEY)
effects.
QUOTE
Cautious use in both foals and ponies is recommended
because of increased incidences of hypoproteinemia
(LOW BLOOD PROTEIN LEVELS)and GI ulceration. Foals
with a heavy parasite burden or that are undernourished
may be more susceptible to development of adverse effects.
Phenylbutazone may cause decreased renal blood flow
and sodium and water retention, and should be used
cautiously in animals with preexisting renal disease
or CHF (CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE).
QUOTE
The primary concerns with phenylbutazone therapy in
humans include its bone marrow effects (agranulocytosis,
aplastic anemia), renal and cardiovascular effects
(fluid retention to acute renal failure), and GI effects
(perforated ulcers). Other serious concerns with phenylbutazone
include, hypersensitivity reactions, neurologic, dermatologic
(SKIN), and hepatic toxicities.
While phenylbutazone is apparently a safer drug to
use in horses and dogs than in people, serious adverse
reactions can still occur. Toxic effects that have
been reported in horses include oral and GI erosions
and ulcers, hypoalbuminemia (LOW BLOOD PROTEIN LEVELS),
diarrhea, anorexia (LOSS OF APPETITE), and renal effects
(azotemia (HIGH LEVELS OF UREA/AMMONIA IN THE BLOOD)).
Unlike humans, it does not appear that phenylbutazone
causes much sodium and water retention in horses at
usual doses, but edema has been reported. In dogs however,
phenylbutazone may cause sodium and water retention,
and diminished renal blood flow.
QUOTE
...acute overdosage with phenylbutazone include, a
prompt respiratory or metabolic acidosis with compensatory
hyperventilation, seizures, coma, and acute hypotensive
crisis. In an acute overdose, symptoms of renal failure
(oliguric, with proteinuria and hematuria), liver injury
(hepatomegaly and jaundice), bone marrow depression,
and ulceration (and perforation) of the GI tract may
develop.
Get the picture ? |
Sandy Revard