Evaluation of oral administration of firocoxib for the management of musculoskeletal pain and lameness associated with osteoarthritis in horses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To generate data on the effects of firocoxib administration to horses with osteoarthritis.

ANIMALS:

Client-owned horses with signs of lameness and joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.

PROCEDURES:

Firocoxib was administered as an oral paste (0.1 mg/kg, q 24 h) for 14 days. Assessments were performed on day 0 (baseline) and days 7 and 14.

RESULTS:

390 of 429 horses from 80 sites in 25 states met the criteria for analysis. Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred were the 2 most commonly represented breeds, comprising half of the study population. Signs of musculoskeletal pain or lameness attributed to osteoarthritis were diagnosed in a single joint in 197 (197/390 [50.5%]) horses and in multiple joints in 193 (193/390 [49.5%]) horses. In those with involvement of a single joint, the tarsus was the most frequently affected joint (79/197 [40.1 %]). Among the 390 horses with complete lameness data, improvement was reported in approximately 80% by day 14. Investigators rated 307 (78.7%) horses as improved, whereas owners or handlers rated 316 (81.0%) horses as improved at the termination of the study. Horses treated with firocoxib paste had significant improvement in lameness scores from baseline values. Improvement was most rapid within the first 7 days after starting treatment and continued, albeit at a slower rate, through treatment day 14.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Firocoxib significantly improved lameness scores throughout the 14-day period with few adverse effects. Firocoxib can be a safe cyclooxygenase-2-specific NSAID for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and lameness associated with osteoarthritis.

• Authors: James A Orsini, William G Ryan, Douglas S Carithers, Raymond C Boston
• Journal: American journal of veterinary research (Am J Vet Res) Vol. 73 Issue 5 Pg. 664-71 (May 2012) ISSN: 1943-5681 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22533398 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
• Sulfones
• 4-Butyrolactone
• firocoxib

Topics

• 4-Butyrolactone (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Horse Diseases (drug therapy, pathology)
• Horses
• Lameness, Animal (drug therapy, pathology)
• Male
• Musculoskeletal Pain (drug therapy, physiopathology, veterinary)
• Osteoarthritis (drug therapy, pathology, veterinary)
• Pain Management (veterinary)
• Sulfones (adverse effects, therapeutic use)