Comparison of efficacy and safety of paste formulations of firocoxib and phenylbutazone in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare efficacy and safety of paste formulations of firocoxib and phenylbutazone in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis.


METHODS
Randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
253 client-owned horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis.


METHODS
Horses were treated with firocoxib (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) or phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg [2 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) for 14 days. Physical examinations and lameness evaluations were performed prior to treatment and after 7 and 14 days. Clinical improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 1 lameness grade or a combined reduction of at least 3 points in scores for pain during manipulation or palpation, joint swelling, joint circumference, and range of motion.


RESULTS
Proportion of horses clinically improved on day 14 for the firocoxib group (104/123 [84.6%]) was not significantly different from the proportion for the phenylbutazone group (103/119 [86.6%]). Proportion of horses that were improved on day 14 was significantly greater for horses treated with firocoxib than for horses treated with phenylbutazone with regard to score for pain on manipulation or palpation (P = 0.028), joint circumference score (P = 0.026), and range of motion score (P = 0.012), but not for overall lameness score or joint swelling score. No direct treatment-related adverse effects were detected during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that overall clinical efficacy of a paste formulation of firocoxib in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis was comparable to efficacy of a paste formulation of phenylbutazone.
Doucet
Michèle Y
MY
Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Bertone
Alicia L
AL
Hendrickson
Dean
D
Hughes
Faith
F
Macallister
Charles
C
McClure
Scott
S
Reinemeyer
Craig
C
Rossier
Yves
Y
Sifferman
Roger
R
Vrins
André A
AA
White
Gary
G
Kunkle
Bruce
B
Alva
Roberto
R
Romano
Davida
D
Hanson
Peter D
PD
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010653:Phenylbutazone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013450:Sulfones; D010653:Phenylbutazone; D015107:4-Butyrolactone; C487384:firocoxib