The Efficacy of Meloxicam Oral Suspension for Controlling Pain and Inflammation After Castration in Horses

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a meloxicam oral suspension (MOS) for pain and inflammation control after castration in horses. The study consisted of 88 healthy, unbroken, 2-year-old mixed breed horses (primarily Quarter horse and draft type). Group 1 animals (n = 44) received MOS at the dose of 0.6 mg per kg body weight administered orally at the time of castration then daily for two consecutive days. Group 2 animals (n = 44) received 0.9% saline at the dose of 1 mL per 25-kg body weight administered orally at the time of castration then daily for two consecutive days. Animals were castrated on day 0 and observed for clinical signs of pain and inflammation for four (4) consecutive days. Pain behavior scores and visual analog scores were significantly greater in control animals over meloxicam-treated animals at all observation periods ( P P P P