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Fall 2007
Drugs
Find three examples (only one in any category) of a feed, supplement, drug, nutriceutical, or feed additive. I centered my findings around COPD or heaves, since Tinni has this, and I needed to do some research.
Below is some general information on heaves. I liked this particular website. The information seemed to complement what I’d previously read.
1. Drug: Ventipulmin Syrup
I chose this product because I give it to Tinni, sparingly, but I do give
it to him. Most of what I read, I knew, but I did discover some new things.
What I knew: (See attached label information). The generic name is Clenbuterol HCI. Each ml contains 25micrograms of clenbuterol hydrochloride. It is FDA approved. It fits into the category of a drug because it claims to cure, mitigate, and prevent disease.
Ventipulmin syrup antagonizes the effects of prostaglandin F2 x and oxytocin. It should not be used in pregnant mares near term. Because tachycardia may occur, Ventipulmin Syrup should not be used in horses suspected of having cardiovascular Impairment. It is to be administered orally 0.5 ml per 100 pounds of body weight two times daily, for Three days. (Up to maximum of 2.0 ml per 100 pounds of body weight, 2x daily.
What I didn’t know
Clenbuterol may cause side effects such as sweating (mainly neck region),
muscle Tremor, tachardia, restlessness. These are typical B angonists
and occur rarely.
Take care to avoid skin contact. When using, do not eat. Drink. Wash affected areas. If irritation occurs, seek medical advice. In case of accidental eye contact, wash thoroughly with warm water.
CAN ALSO BE USED in acute sub-acute and chronic infections where the presence of mucous and/or microorganisms may stimulate bronchospasm or cause airway obstruction and thus increase airway resistence. For example, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and bronchopneumonia alone, or associated with equine influenza, calf pneumonia, and other viral respiratory diseases.
Parmaceutical precautions: Store below 25 C. Protect from light. It is recommended that the pack be used within 30 days of first opening.
Mainly, what I learned is that this is a DRUG not a SYRUP. While I used with care, I may have mixed it in Tinni’s feed with my fingers – I also did not consider that, like all drugs, it has an expiration date.
WHAT I LEARNED from doing this small amount of research
was TO DO THE RESEARCH when you dealing with drugs.
2. Nutriceutical: Freeway Gold
NOW here we have a COUGH SYRUP. First of all, the name of this product
is designed to sell it. Freeway, as in free airway, freeway, as in cars
zipping along – very clever,
bet they have an out-of-work poet on the staff.
It “contains plants that have been TRADITIONALLY
USED in cough syrup.. SOOTHING mucilaginous and demulcent properties to
HELP maintain and support a HEALTHY respiratory system. Contains TINCTURES
of licorice, marshmallow,
Coltsfoot, plaintain, and garlic. In bold, the unsubstantiated claim that
would put this in the neutriceutical category.
3. Supplement – Vitamin E. Vitaflex.
Ingredients: yeast culture, vitamin E, (di-alpha tocopheryl acetatem alfalfa
meal dehydrated, calcium carbonate, and mineral oil.
Is described as being “an appealing and very palatable nutritional supplement.” Appealing? To who? Do horses need for their supplements to be appealing?
Doing the math:
“Delivers 5,000 IU of Vitamin E per ounce.” Enclosed scoop
holds ½ ounce. So two of the “enclosed” scoops contain
5,000 IUs of vitamin E. A 2 lb container contains 32 ounces, which is
16 5,000 IU servings. That’s not much. I supplement this with 3
400 IU capsules – cuts down on the cost some.
It says on the label “for all CLASSES of horses.” Not all types, but all classes. And a horse is running across the label, implying vigor and good health.
Keep cool and dry. Reseal after each use. Good to know this.
Have attached layperson information on Vitamin E
– seems accurate, and in line with other information that I’ve
read. I’ve also attached a few pages on the subject from a book
that a friend gave me yesterday, entitled Natural Horse Care. The reason
I attached this page is because it says that “vitamin E has been
very useful in the aftermath of pneumonia to normalize the breathing rate.
It helps to heal the lesions in the lungs: 6.000 to 8,000 units would
be needed daily for a horse while under treatment. I don’t believe
that vitamin E cures heaves, but it sounds like it might help build healthy
lung tissue.
Drugs