Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Equine Neonatal Medicine. Part I: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

• Few nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been studied in neonatal foals.
• Specific NSAID dosages for compromised foals are lacking.
• Risk of side effects in the critically ill equine neonate is not well studied.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the class of drugs most commonly used in equine medicine. This article reviews the literature on the different NSAIDs used in equine neonatology: flunixin meglumine, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam, and firocoxib. These drugs are routinely used in equine adults, but in neonatal foals, the risk of side effects should be carefully evaluated. Many of the studies on NSAID pharmacokinetics in neonatal foals have been performed on healthy animals, and more information is needed to determine the appropriate dosage in the compromised equine neonate. The review highlights the lack of specific NSAID dosages for compromised foals and emphasizes the risk of side effects in the neonate.