MEDICATIONS AT THE TRACK

ONE MORE VET BILL. WOULD YOU WANT THIS DONE TO YOUR HORSE?

The horse in this story is a 24 month-old filly sold in a two-year-old in-training sale in April. The filly was beautifully conformed she had no "weak tires". She breezed in her "sales work" two furlongs in 22 seconds. Obviously she was a filly with the gift of speed. She was shipped to her trainer and immediately went into training. Her owners told the trainer not to medicate her. The following bills tell the rest of the story.

Month One

5/19 Bute IV 2 GM
5/24 Bute IV 2 GM
5/25 Bute IV 2 GM
5/29 Bute IV 2 GM

Why were injections of Bute given directly into the vein? The trainer convinced the owners that it was so the horse wouldn't get an overdose. He had problems when tablets were given in the feed. My own thought is that there is always a risk of infection when injecting, especially into the vein. The thought of giving a sound young filly bute just to do early training is offensive.

6/02 Bute IV 2 GM
6/07 Bute IV 2 GM
6/08 Bute IV 2 GM
6/11 Bute IV 2 GM
6/18 Bute IV 2 GM plus ACTH 40 MG
6/19 Bute IV 2 GM 6/20 Bute IV 2 GM
6/21 Bute IV 2 GM
6/30 Bute IV 2 GM

In the month of June, a period of early training, this filly has been persistently injected. I wonder about the pattern of the Bute. Is there a limit on the amount of Bute that may be used in that racing area? Remember, ACTH stimulates adrenal gland production. When used with frequency, the horse's own adrenal glands will stop functioning.

Month Three

7/3 Bute IV 2 GM
7/4 Bute IV 2 GM plus a Flucort Injection
7/7 Bute IV 2 GM

HORSE RACED 7/8 - Showed promise.

7/12 Bute IV 2 GM
7/23 Bute IV 2 GM
7/26 Bute IV 2 GM
7/27 Flucort injection
7/28 Bute IV 2 GM

HORSE RACED AND WON MAIDEN RACE 7/29

7/31 Bute IV 2 GM

Now we have a horse on persistent Bute. Any pain or swelling will be masked with so much Bute in the system. Be aware that long term use of Bute is hard on all organs including the stomach. Horses may develop ulcers or perforated stomach at a very young age because of so much medication. Flucort is a potent corticosteroid that has lasting side effects. This supposedly healthy young animal has had 12 injections this month . . . to run in two races.

Month Four

8/2 Bute IV 2 GM and ACTH 50 MG
8/5 Bute IV 2 GM
8/7 Bute IV 2 GM
8/8 Bute IV 2 GM
8/13 Bute IV 2 GM
8/14 Flucort injection

HORSE RACED AND WON 8/15

8/15 Bute injection 2 GM
8/16 Bute injection 2 GM
8/27 Bute injection 2 GM plus ACTH 40 MG and Vitamin E and Selenium injections
8/31 Bute injection 2 GM

The pattern continues. Bute, Steroids, and ACTH, twice this month. The vitamin E might be for possible tie-up.

Month Five

9/1 Bute injection 2 GM
9/2 Bute injection 2 GM
9/3 Flucort injection

HORSE RACED AND WON 9/4

9/4 Bute IV 2 GM post race
9/14 Bute IV 2 GM
9/15 Bute IV 2 GM
9/18 Bute IV 2 GM and a nerve block left front check ligament.
9/19 Bute IV 2 GM 9/22 Bute IV 2 GM
9/23 Flucort Injection

HORSE RACED - POORLY 9/23

9/24 Bute IV 2 GM
9/29 Bute IV 2 GM 9/30 CBC blood analysis

We see the usual Bute used here, but there is also a danger sign. Why did they try to block the left front leg? Usually, when lameness has been diagnosed in a particular leg, but not the particular area, the vet will block different points and work his way up the leg. If the hoof is blocked and the lameness persists, the vet blocks the next joint higher until he reaches a point where the horse shows no sign of lameness. If a horse is not given systemic medications that reduce inflammation and heat, it is easier to determine that you are training too hard BEFORE THE PROBLEM BEGINS. In view of the Bute and steroids in this horse's system, it would be very difficult to find the cause of a problem. A diagnosis of check ligament usually means that they can't find out what the problem is. In this case, they blamed the lameness on check ligament. One thing sure, this horse has a real problem. Are you surprised?

Month Six

10/4 Endoscopic Exam, EIPH Negative - clean.
10/12 Bute injection 2 GM - CBC blood analysis serum.
10/14 Trimethoprim Sulfa 100- Treats pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and urinary tract infections, Endoscopic Exam EIPH Negative - clean.
10/15 Bute injection 2 GM
10/18 Bute injection 2 GM
10/19 Bute injection 2 GM
10/21 Bute injection 2 GM
10/22 Flucort injection
10/23 Bute injection 2 GM - A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

HORSE RACED - POORLY 10/24

10/24 Coggins test