EFFICACY AND COMPATIBILITY OF THE COMBINA TION-DRUG PHENYLBUTAZONE AND PREDNISOLONE IN COMPARISON TO PHENYLBUTAZONE ALONE IN DISEASES OF THE LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM IN THE DOG

In a clinical blind study comprising 100 dogs, the use of the combinat ion drug phenylbutazone and prednisolone was compared to phenylbutazon e alone. Indications for the application of non-steroidal antiinflamma tory drugs (NSAID) were acute and chronic inflamed and painful changes in the musculoskeletal system of dogs. The degree of lameness, painfu lness and various blood parameters were controlled over a period of se ven days. The dose of the drug was very low with 3.3 mg/kg of body wei ght phenylbutazone twice a day and 0.7 mg/kg of body weight prednisolo ne twice a day, compared to data from the literature. The combination of phenylbutazone and prednisolone was found to be more effective clin ically than the drug phenylbutazone alone. Clinically important change s of the blood parameters were not evident. Side effects typical for N SAIDs were not observed over the test period. By the combination of ph enylbutazone and prednisolone it is possible to reduce the dose of the drug itself and to decrease possible side effects. Addition of predni solone did not lead to a cumulation of side effects, as has been postu lated. The combination of phenylbutazone and prednisolone can be recom mended for the treatment of chronic affections of the muskulskeletal s ystem of the dog, even over longer periods of time.