A TOXICITY STUDY OF ELTENAC, A NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUG, INHORSES

A double-blind study was performed, in horses, to determine the potent ial toxic effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, eltenac( 4-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl) amino]-3-thiopheneacetic acid). Four treatment groups of six horses sere formed. The drug was injected intravenously , once daily, at a dose level of 0.5 mg/kg. 1.5 mg/kg or 2.5 mg/kg for 15 days, A control group was injected with sterile saline solution. H orses were monitored for changes in appetite, physical examinations, b iochemical evaluations and gastroscopic examinations. Complete post-mo rtem examinations were also performed. A few glandular gastric ulcers, mild in severity, developed in seven animals during the treatment per iod. This occurred more often in horses treated with high doses of elt enac (P = 0.02). A dose-dependent change of white blood cell (WBC) cou nt and neutrophil count was noted. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels had dose-dependent decreases. One horse in the high dose group (2.5 mg/kg) developed ventral ooedema as well as hypoproteinaemia. Gr oss post-mortem and histological examination did not reveal any signs of drug related gastrointestinal, renal or hepatic abnormalities. Toxi c effects of eltenac given intravenously were greatest in horses treat ed with 2.5 mg/kg of the compound for 15 days compared to ether groups .