A pharmaceutical specials company is helping to reduce the shortage of paracetamol in the UK, with the release of a highly concentrated paste version for horses.
Paracetamol has become commonly used in the UK to treat pain in dogs and horses. Equine vets have needed to rely on human paracetamol as the licensed veterinary version is combined with codeine. The current shortage has understandably led to restrictions on the use of paracetamol in the veterinary industry, but unfortunately with the potential to compromise horse welfare. The specials manufacturer has addressed the problem by formulating a paste version for horses. The highly concentrated product also makes dosing for equine vets and their clients far easier than counting out multiple tablets.
Nicky Housby Skeggs, Veterinary Director at The Horse Trust said: “We treat a number of horses with paracetamol on a regular basis either to complement NSAIDs in cases of chronic or acute pain and in cases where NSAIDs are inappropriate.
“The current supply of human paracetamol is rightly restricted due to its importance in human medicine. BOVA launching a paracetamol paste is a great step towards ensuring the welfare of horses is not affected. We have now starting using it to treat a number of patients and we are very pleased to say the patients think it is absolutely delicious!”
