Analgesia in heavily pregnant mares

Re: Analgesia in heavily pregnant mares

Luke Edwards — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:55:12 GMT

Although Nsaids are not licensed and potentially have side effects in late term pregnant mares (DA closure and placental perfusion), there are plenty of old creaky brood mares that need a bit of bute to see them through to foaling and seem to have normal foals. I think most experts agree that the benefits of analgesia far outweigh the possible side effects - especially in an situation like this where it could be argued that severe pain/stress is risk to the pregnancy anyway.

Topical diclofenac (Voltarol Pain-eze) could be tried - it has been shown to improve lameness in arthritic horses and is licensed for horses in the USA. It is unlicensed and may cause blistering of the skin but would be cheap and easy to try.

Don't forget to sign the mare out of the food chain!

Luke Edwards

Re: Analgesia in heavily pregnant mares

james herriot lied — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:04:08 GMT

Always considered premature closure of the DA to be the primary problem, with attendant hypertension issues around the lungs. I guess that could lead on to FO problems.

The mare is on a not-huge dose of danilon and is closing in on parturition, so I'm taking that chance. Already mentioned torbugesic, and I think it's unlikely we'll be going on to methadone - costs are a big issue on this one in any case, and the attendant attendance would rocket the bills.

Nerve blocks not a bad idea - although I worry that blocking the limb in an acute tendon injury might lead to a catastrophic failure of something or other.

Re: Analgesia in heavily pregnant mares

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:01:07 GMT

JHL - I thought all NSAIDS contra-indicated in mares during pregnancy due to risk of failure of closure of the foramen ovale.

I would be looking at nerve blocks. Or possibly opioids. Anyone used methadone in the horse?