title: The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in critically ill horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the physiology of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes with reference to the beneficial effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) related to their analgesic and antiendotoxic properties as well as the mechanisms responsible for adverse gastrointestinal, renal, and coagulation effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human and veterinary peer reviewed literature
  
  
  RESULTS
  NSAIDs are frequently administered to critically ill horses for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, NSAIDs have significant side effects principally on the gastrointestinal mucosa and kidneys. These side effects may be exacerbated in critically ill horses if they have gastrointestinal damage or are volume depleted
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review provides important information for equine veterinarians and criticalists on the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional NSAIDs and newer equine COX-2 selective NSAIDs for the management of different conditions in critically ill horses.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (Cook); and.
authors.forename: Vanessa L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Anthony T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Blikslager
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2
keywords: analgesia; antiendotoxin; drug therapy; equine; side-effects