We only bucket feed at night when they come in so 5yr old ate most of his bute mixed feed last night. This morning we used a syringe with bute mixed in milk with added sugar which he has had before perfectly happily. Today his eyes rolled up, his neck arched and he fell over on his side. Seemed dazed or shocked for a minute and then struggled to his feet. He always likes to be fussed over so in 5 minutes after a bit of a cuddle and lots of reassurance he went off to the field with the others as they were all due to go out. He has seemed perfectly normal as we checked on him and we'll be back down there again later this afternoon. The syringe is positioned as for wormer and there was no coughing or choking - nothing was different to other times except the worrying reaction.
Ooh, what a worry. If it happened immediately I'd be surprised if it was a reaction to the Bute. Perhaps he "fainted"/lack of blood to the brain if his head was significantly raised when administering? I have heard of horses to whom this has happened if they'd previously had a nasty bang to the poll.
Caryn
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud) aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips" The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
I think as a precaution I'd mention it to the vet, has he had his heart checked recently.... also don't think it's related to the bute. Hope he remains ok for you 8)
OH is 5'10 and has horse head resting on shoulder to administer anything syringed - last sarcoid cream is Tues so will ask them to listen to heart then but they are thorough and have never mentioned bp problems. Very thought provoking reply, just can't bear to think of another horse problem at the moment!!!
I did phone the vet but of course it was the emergency line so not either of the vets who had seen him last week. She said to be safe give it to him in a bucket feed and contact them if it happened again. Not much else she could say really and we'll talk about it with usual vet Tues. We didn't give him any more bute today and he is ok but quiet. Will ring to see if we should dose him before we go tomorrow so it is in his system before the application takes effect - if it starts to hurt in the trailer going home we might have problems.
I know many people hand it out like panadol to their horses. We have always avoided using it. Earlier this year we were unfourtunate to have sick horses and for the symptoms my clydie X (riding mare ) was prescribed bute. we followed vet instructions ( Long long story as to the illness and the reasons why we decided to administer Bute) But sadly my mare was one of the small percentage of horses who react to Bute.
She suffered from Bute Toxicity and bled out internally.
Apparently it is quite a common reaction in Minis.
Please be aware that Bute is not 'safe' horses do have reactions.
I know you are under vet advice I am just getting the word out there as our personal experience was devestating.
Very odd reaction to bute
Posted - 21 Aug 2011 : 2:13:00 PM
