Bute or Banamine 6-Hour Withdrawal Allows Half Doses at ESC Sanctioned Events
PALMETTO, FLA — At ESC events, vets may use a half dose of Phenylbutazone or Banamine and utilize a 6-hour withdrawal instead of a 12-hour withdrawal, as with a full dose. This helps horses with sensitive stomachs while keeping drug levels within allowable limits. Bute treats bone and joint pain. Banamine treats soft tissue and organ pain. [1, 2]
ESC Event Rules
- Half-doses: Vets can give HALF of the usual amount of Bute or Banamine.
- Short wait: Horses can compete just 6 hours later.
- Drug levels: Testing shows the same low levels as a full dose after a full 12 hour withdrawal. [1]
Choosing the Right Medication
- Bute: Use for bone, joint, or lameness pain.
- Banamine: Use for organ, eye, stomach, or colic pain.
- Switching drugs: Wait 48 hours before changing from one NSAID type to another. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Important Safety Facts
Ask a vet: Always talk to a professional for medical advice. [1]
No mixing: Do not give Bute and Banamine together. Combining them causes gut damage and protein loss.
