Long-Term Firocoxib Use in Horses.

Area of Science:

• Equine medicine
• Pharmacology
• Veterinary clinical pathology

Background:

• Firocoxib is frequently administered to horses for extended durations.
• Limited research exists on the hematologic and biochemical effects of long-term firocoxib use in horses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document hematologic and biochemical values in horses undergoing long-term firocoxib treatment.
• To establish reference ranges for laboratory values in horses on long-term firocoxib therapy.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study compared 79 horses on long-term firocoxib (F group) with 153 horses not receiving the drug (NF group).
• Signalment, hematologic, and biochemical data were analyzed and compared between groups.
• Simple linear regression assessed the correlation between firocoxib duration and laboratory variables.

Main Results:

• Horses in the F group were older (19 years) than the NF group (15 years).
• The F group showed statistically significant, albeit minimal, differences in total protein, sodium concentration, and white blood cell count compared to the NF group.
• No laboratory variables correlated with the duration of firocoxib administration.

Conclusions:

• Long-term firocoxib administration in horses is associated with minimal changes in hematologic and biochemical parameters.
• Equine practitioners should be aware that laboratory values are generally stable despite prolonged firocoxib use.
• These findings support the safety profile of firocoxib regarding common laboratory diagnostics in horses.