THE USE OF DIMETHYL-SULFOXIDE IN THE HORS E - A REVIEW

The use of dimethyl sulphoxide in equine medicine is discussed with sp ecial reference to trauma of the central nervous system, chronic endom etritis, trauma of the locomotor apparatus, and ischaemic bowel pathop hysiology. The ability of dimethyl sulphoxide to reduce connective tis sue formation might be of interest in abdominal surgery. The anti-infl ammatory effect of dimethyl sulphoxide is used in the treatment of mus cle trauma, tendinitis, laminitis, and arthritis. Dimethyl sulphoxide can potentiate the effects of other drugs. The most common dose is 1 g /kg body weight intravenously up to a 40%-solution with a maximum dura tion of treatment of 5 days. Dimethyl sulphoxide has not been approved for use in horses in the Netherlands.