Last Updated on June 1, 2022
Have you ever wondered what is Torbugesic used for in horses? As horse owners, we like to know what medications are horses are receiving, and Torbugesic is commonly used by veterinarians around the world. So, let’s find out everything you need to know about Torbugesic and horses!
What Is Torbugesic?
Torbugesic is a type of medication used to treat horses by veterinarians. The word Torbugesic is a trade name, used to identify a product named by a manufacturer. What Is Torbugesic Used For In Horses? You may also hear torbugesic referred to as butorphanol, which is its generic name. This means that your veterinarian may give your horse that contains butorphanol, but it is not called Torbugesic. The brand of butorphanol used will vary from one veterinary clinic to another.
Torbugesic, or butorphanol, belongs to a group of drugs called systemic partial opiate agonists/antagonists. This means that Torbugesic has two different modes of action.
Firstly, Torbugesic is a strong analgesic, or painkiller. It works in the same way as other opioid drugs, such as morphine, to control pain by blocking pain impulses in the brain and spinal cord.
The second effect of Torbugesic is that it has an antagonistic effect on other opioid drugs. This means it reduces the efficiency of opioids such as morphine, whilst also providing analgesic effects. Torbugesic is thought to be five times more effective at controlling pain than morphine.
Another great advantage of Torbugesic is that it works very quickly, providing pain relief within 15 minutes of administration. The analgesic effects of Torbugesic can last for up to four hours after administration.
Veterinarians commonly use Torbugesic alongside sedative drugs, as butorphanol has additive effects when used in this way. This means that it increases the efficacy of the sedative, allowing lower doses to be given.
Read more about Painkillers For Horses – Everything You Need To Know!
What Is Torbugesic Used For In Horses?
In horses, Torbugesic is normally given for one of two reasons. The first use of Torbugesic is as a potent analgesic – this means that it is a strong and effective painkiller. It works very quickly, providing relief from pain in under 15 minute.
Torbugesic would not normally given to treat mild pain, as in these situations it is preferable to use a medication such as phenylbutazone – a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory. Opioid drugs are generally only given in situations where the animal is in severe and uncontrollable pain.
Your veterinarian may give Torbugesic to your horse to relived pain from colic, foaling, or skeletal fractures. It can also be used to relive post-operative pain, and other debilitating conditions such as severe laminitis or foot abscesses.
What Is Torbugesic Used For In Horses? The other main reason that Torbugesic is given to horses is that it has a synergistic effect on sedative drugs. This means that it increases the efficacy of the sedative drug, allowing lower doses to be administered. This is very beneficial to the horse, as sedative drugs carry a higher risk than Torbugesic and it is always best practice to use the lowest dose possible.
There is a third reason why Torbugesic is given to horses, and that is to reduce coughing in horses suffering from respiratory disease. This mode of use is referred to as ‘off-label’ meaning that it is being given for a reason that is not specified by the product licence. If your veterinarian wishes to use Torbugesic in this way, they may ask you to sign an additional consent form to allow them to do this.
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How Is Torbugesic Given To Horses?
Torbugesic is a licensed medication and its use is tightly controlled by federal law. This means that it can only be administered by or prescribed by a qualified, registered medical professional such as a veterinarian. It is a controlled medication, meaning that additional monitoring of its usage is required by law.
So, it is very unlikely that your veterinarian is going to leave you a bottle of Torbugesic to inject your horse at home! This medication is normally given by intravenous injection, and will only be administered by qualified veterinary staff. This can be repeated every 3-4 hours, depending on the pain levels of the horse.
If Torbugesic is used alongside a sedative drug, then a one-off dose is normally all that is necessary. Again, these medications are injected directly into the vein, and can only be administered by a qualified professional.
Summary – What Is Torbugesic Used For In Horses?
So, as we have learned, Torbugesic is a drug used by veterinarians either as a strong painkiller, or used in combination with sedatives to give a synergistic effect. Torbugesic is a licenced medication and its use is tightly controlled by federal law. This means that it can only be administered by or prescribed by a qualified, registered medical professional such as a veterinarian.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on what is Torbugesic used for in horses! Do you have a horse that frequently needs sedating by your veterinarian? Or maybe you’ve got some questions about how Torbugesic should be used in horses? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!
FAQ’s
What Is Torbugesic Used For?
In horses, Torbugesic is used as a powerful painkiller. It can also be used alongside sedative drugs to increase their efficacy. Some veterinarians also use Torbugesic to relive symptoms of coughing, although this mode of use is not licenced by the federal drug authorities.
How Do You Administer Torbugesic?
Torbugesic is a controlled medication that is only available to qualified and registered veterinary practices. It can only be administered by a veterinary professional, and is normally injected directly into the vein.
How Long Does butorphanol last in horses?
The effects of butorphanol are very rapid, but do not last as long as some other types of painkiller. A dose of butorphanol will last for 3-4 hours, whereas a non-steroidal antiinflammatory can last for up to 12 hours.
How Long Is Torbugesic Effective For?
Torbugesic is only effective for a few hours, and does not provide long-lasting pain relief. Your veterinarian will normally use Torbugesic alongside other painkillers to provide long-lasting relief from pain. This is termed multi-modal analgesia, and allows lower overall amounts of painkillers to be used.
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE