Banamine for Colic

Banamine can be used to treat the pain associated with equine colic.

Colic---abdominal pain caused by numerous conditions or diseases---is always a medical emergency in horses, and owners of an animal suffering an episode should contact a veterinarian immediately. Banimine is often prescribed to relieve the abdominal pain caused by colic in horses. There are three main types of colic: tympanitic, spasmodic and obstructive.

Tympanitic Colic

Tympanitic colic is a buildup of gas due to fermentation in the intestines, which distends the gut. This type of colic causes acute, continuous pain, along with excessive sweating, high pulse and heart rates, violent attempts to lie down and a tense abdomen. The horse also displays hytperperistalsis---overpronounced gut sounds, which have a high-pitched tympanitic quality. Most horses suffering from tympanitic colic make a full recovery.

Spasmodic Colic

Spasmodic colic is the most common type of colic. It is usually mild and lasts only a few hours. Symptoms include acute gut pain interrupted with periods of normality. During the pain episodes, the horse also suffers from increased heart rate, restlessness, increased gut sounds, sweating and a tense abdomen. It may also attempt to lie down and roll. Generally, spasmodic colic is caused by internal parasite infestations which when migrating damage the vessels that supply blood to the intestines. The lack of blood to these vessels disrupts the normal rhythmic contractions that move food through the intestines, causing excessive gas and distention of the gut.

Obstructive Colic

Obstructive colic can be further divided into obstructive and impaction colic. Impaction colic is the less severe of the two. Obstructive colic causes severe abdominal pain along with shock due to the release of toxins into the system. Other symptoms include accelerated heart rate and dark red mucous membranes. If obstructed colic is found in the stomach, it is usually caused by overeating. When the small intestines are involved, it is caused by a tumor, twist or strangulating hernia. The large intestine obstructions are typically caused from a sudden change in diet. Impaction colic can be brought on by feeding large quantities of poor-quality roughage, which causes an impaction of a hard, dry material. Symptoms include a refusal to eat, passing dry and scanty feces, low-grade pain, lying down and repeatedly looking at the flank.

Banamine

Banamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to alleviate pain and inflammation. It is a trade name for flunixin melamine. Banamine does not fix the problem that caused the colic. Rather, it relieves the pain in the gut, thereby reducing anxiety in the horse. It is available in intramuscular injectables, pastes or granules. In certain cases, Benamine has shown to counter the toxins released into the bloodstream from the intestines during an episode of colic.

Side Effects

Banimine blocks prostaglandin production in the body, which reduces blood flow to certain areas, including the lining of the intestines. This decreased blood flow causes damage to tissues and organ cells and causes the formation of ulcers. Banamine can also cause gastrointestinal side effects in horses under the age of 2; therefore, a vet should always be consulted for proper dosage.

Dosage

Proper dosage is vital when administering any medication.

According to Oregon veterinarian Wendy Krebs, the proper dosage for a horse is 10cc of the injectable or 1.1 mg/kg of body weight per day. Dosage for oral paste is determined by weight, which is marked on the injectable tube. If the horse's pain is not relieved, a second dose can be given for 12 hours.

References

• Veterinary Corner: Banamine
• Bute and Benamine Toxity
• University of Liverpool: Equine Colic