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Horses

  • Procainamide is used off label and given by mouth or injection to treat abnormal heart rhythms. Side effects may include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, low blood pressure, less effective heart beats, and rhythm abnormalities. Do not use in Doberman Pinchers, Boxers, pets that are allergic to it or related drugs, or pets with myasthenia gravis, torsade de pointes, cardiac glycoside intoxication, or heart block. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.

  • Propantheline bromide is given by mouth or injection and is used off label to treat diarrhea, slow heart rate, and incontinence. Give as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include dry mouth, dry eyes, fast heart rate, difficulty urinating, and constipation. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or similar drugs, or pets that have certain heart, bladder, or intestinal problems, glaucoma, or myasthenia gravis. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.

  • Propranolol is given by mouth or injection and is used off-label to treat abnormal heart rhythms. Side effects are not common but may include lack of energy and diarrhea. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or pets with heart block, heart failure, asthma, or a slow heart rate. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.

  • The horse's hoof is a very complex structure. The tough outer wall surrounds layers of sensitive laminae ('leaves') that support, nourish with blood and, in turn, cover the underlying pedal bone.

  • Infection in the foot is by far, the most common cause of acute (sudden), single-leg lameness in the horse. Infection results in painful inflammation and pus (abscess) formation.

  • Quittor is an old term for a condition that involves death and destruction (necrosis) of the collateral cartilages of the foot (see our information sheet on sidebones), following an infection in the foot (see our information sheet on pus in the foot).

  • Ragwort is a tall plant with yellow flowers which contains a poison (toxin) that is also found in some other plants, such as Lantana and some Heliotropes.

  • Rain scald is a bacterial infection of the skin that results in the formation of matted scabs usually affecting the back and rump but occasionally the lower limbs.

  • RAO (previously called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD) is a relatively common cause of coughing and nasal discharge in stabled horses. In long-standing cases the horse may have difficulty in breathing and its chest and abdomen can be easily seen to move, hence the even older name 'heaves'.

  • Rifampin is commonly used off label to treat infections in horses, and occasionally in dogs and cats. It is usually given by mouth in the form of a capsule or compounded liquid. The most common side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, or reduced appetite. Liver dysfunction is possible. A change in the color of urine, tears, and saliva to a red/orange color is expected but may stain fabrics. Use with caution in pets that have pre-existing liver disease, are pregnant, are elderly, or are lactating. If a negative reaction occurs, call your veterinary office.