Q. I have a 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with caudal heel pain or possible navicular syndrome, and he is becoming more dependent on painkillers. The trouble with phenylbutazone (Bute) is that he is starting to have some gut ache and loss of appetite. So when I read your article on ketoprofen ("Drugs and Pain" in the March 1997 issue of The Horse, article #733 at www.thehorse.com), I was glad that another option existed. My main question is: Does it have the same possible gut side effects as Bute?

Deeann

A. While ketoprofen is an effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, there is one major problem with using it on a chronic condition. The drug is available only for intravenous administration. And like related drugs, it can cause major problems if the injection is not done properly. Since repeated administration would be needed to improve your horse’s problem, I’m not sure this is realistic for you.

As far as the side effects of ketoprofen are concerned, gastrointestinal problems are less likely to occur with it than with phenylbutazone. But it seems to me that is less of a concern than the administration. If you talk to your veterinarian, he might suggest a different approach