12/12/2024
We know that the majority of horse owners know this, but wanted to share this information again... Please remember to NEVER administer Banamine (flunixin meglumine) in the muscle to your horse. We just received another call today that an owner admnistered a large dose of Banamine into the muscle under the instruction of a different veterinarian.
While we do realize that some owners and veterinarians have done this for years with no problems, we DO see cases of nasty abscesses and clostridial myostitis. Not long ago, we saw a case that was fatal for the horse and it was devastating because it was preventable.
Banamine comes in both an injectable form and an oral paste. While the injectable form is labeled to be given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM), we strongly recommend that it NEVER be given in the muscle.
When given intramuscularly, there is a risk for serious infection called Clostridial myositis that can be deadly. Clostridium bacteria can be present in healthy muscle tissue and start to grow when the muscle is damaged by an injection.
Here is a link with more information regarding the risks of Banamine IM: https://extension.umn.edu/horse-health/risks-giving-intramuscular-banamine
Pic from Fox Valley Equine Practice of a horse being treated for Clostridial myositis.