title: Evaluation of oral administration of firocoxib for the management of musculoskeletal pain and lameness associated with osteoarthritis in horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To generate data on the effects of firocoxib administration to horses with osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Client-owned horses with signs of lameness and joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Firocoxib was administered as an oral paste (0.1 mg/kg, q 24 h) for 14 days. Assessments were performed on day 0 (baseline) and days 7 and 14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  390 of 429 horses from 80 sites in 25 states met the criteria for analysis. Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred were the 2 most commonly represented breeds, comprising half of the study population. Signs of musculoskeletal pain or lameness attributed to osteoarthritis were diagnosed in a single joint in 197 (197/390 [50.5%]) horses and in multiple joints in 193 (193/390 [49.5%]) horses. In those with involvement of a single joint, the tarsus was the most frequently affected joint (79/197 [40.1 %]). Among the 390 horses with complete lameness data, improvement was reported in approximately 80% by day 14. Investigators rated 307 (78.7%) horses as improved, whereas owners or handlers rated 316 (81.0%) horses as improved at the termination of the study. Horses treated with firocoxib paste had significant improvement in lameness scores from baseline values. Improvement was most rapid within the first 7 days after starting treatment and continued, albeit at a slower rate, through treatment day 14.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Firocoxib significantly improved lameness scores throughout the 14-day period with few adverse effects. Firocoxib can be a safe cyclooxygenase-2-specific NSAID for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and lameness associated with osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. orsini@vet.upenn.edu
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Orsini
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Douglas S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Carithers
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Boston
mesh_terms: D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000662:veterinary; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D013450:Sulfones; D015107:4-Butyrolactone; C487384:firocoxib