Featured Prescriptions

This page contains information on selected prescription products available from our compounding pharmacists. Published information is not intended to be all-inclusive on referenced medical conditions, but rather as an additional source of information for the veterinary practioner in dealing with these ailments and conditions. Any recommendations are intended to be construed as one of several alternative therapies for any referenced condition. Also of interest may be: Practice Tips from Practitioners.

Melanomas in Horses - Cimetidine Therapy

Did you know?

Cimetidine can help control equine melanomas According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, aggressive treatment with Cimetidine can greatly reduce the size and number of melanomas in affected horses.

Melanomas can occur in all horses regardless of color, but mature white or gray horses are most susceptible. In many cases, the disease grows slowly over several years without metastasis. But Cimetidine can effectively stop the disease from progressing for months - and sometimes years.

Cimetidine is an H2 antagonist, which can block activation of suppressor T-Cells and increase immune response. According to the JAVMA, Cimetidine works best when administered every eight hours in doses of 2.5 mg/kg. But the drug also can be administered in larger doses at fewer treatment intervals.

Results usually are evident within two to seven weeks of the initial treatment, and horses with melanomas that are actively increasing in size and number seem to respond best and benefit the most.

Sources: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, February 1990; The Compendium, April 1993.

Bacterial isolates from blood and their susceptibility patterns in critically ill foals: 543 cases (1991-1998)

Foal septicemia research -

Results of bacteriologic cultures of blood obtained from critically ill foals that were <1 month old and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1998 were reviewed. Susceptibility patterns of the isolates were also reviewed. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacteruim. Gram positive organisms were identified in 33.8% of the specimens that yielded a single isolate, which is a greater prevalence than has been reported elsewhere.

In general, combination of an aminoglycoside and a beta-lactam such as amikacin and ampicillin appears to be an appropriate selection for empirical antimicrobial treatment; however, gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria that were resistant to multiple antimicrobials were identified.

Prudent empirical treatment for neonatal sepsis should include broad-spectrum antimicrobials.

Among 30 E. coli isolates, 90% were susceptible to amikacin, whereas 80% were susceptible to gentamicin or ceftiofur. Trimethoprim-sulfadiazine had poor efficacy against most bacterial isolates. The less commonly cultured species, Enterobacter spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Enterococcus spp. exhibited substantial resistance to most of the antimicrobials. Anecdotally, the study suggested the possibility of susceptibility of resistant Enterococcus spp. to Vancomycin.

P.S. Marsh and J.E. Palmer (J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2001; 218:1608-1610)

Equine Cushing's Disease: More common than you might think

Equine Cushing's Disease research -

Horses are living longer than ever before, and with that rise in longevity has come an increase in the reported cases of Cushing's disease.

Equine Cushing's disease is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production and regulation of hormones. While the tumor itself is benign, the cells within the tumor produce excess hormones, creating an imbalance in the horse's body. The cause of the tumor itself is not known.

Cushing's disease is most common in horses over 20 years old, although the youngest documented case was found in a seven year old. It is equally prevalent in both genders and is found more often in Morgans than in any other breed. Ponies may also have a slightly higher predisposition.

The most notable symptom of Cushing's disease is the growth of a long, shaggy, coat of hair. This irregularly long and sometimes wavy hair often persists throughout summer months and is a critical signal that a horse may have Cushing's disease.

Pergolide appears to be the better treatment according to a study done at Michigan State University.
"Pergolide seems to help them quite dramatically. It improves their clinical signs, as well as reverses or makes their dexamethasone tests return to normal in some, but not all cases," one of the lead project researchers reports.

Source: 2002 press release from Michigan State University.

Other Cushing's Disease Links:
Treatment of Equine Cushing's Disease
Equine Cushing's Disease
Laminitis and Cushing's Disease