EFFECTS OF KETOPROFEN AND PHENYLBUTAZONE ON CHRONIC HOOF PAIN AND LAMENESS IN THE HORSE

The analgesic effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ket oprofen (2.2 and 3.63 mg/kg bwt) and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg bwt) we re compared in 7 horses with chronic laminitis. Hoof pain was quantifi ed objectively by means of an electronic hoof tester and lameness was subjectively graded on a modified Obel scale. Ketoprofen at a dose of 3.63 mg/kg bwt (phenylbutazone equimolar dose) reduced hoof pain and l ameness to a greater extent than the 22 mg/kg dose and phenylbutazone. These effects were still present at 24 h in 3 of the 4 pain tests, in cluding lameness grade. These data suggest that ketoprofen at the dosa ge rate of 1.65 times the recommended therapeutic dose was more potent than phenylbutazone in alleviating chronic pain and lameness in horse s.