Jeffers Pet offers a range of prescription muscle relaxers for horses, featuring products from brands like Pet's Choice Pharmacy and Dechra. These muscle relaxers are essential for managing conditions that cause muscle spasms and discomfort in horses, ensuring their well-being and comfort. Ideal for veterinarians and horse owners, these medications provide effective relief for horses with muscle-related issues.
What are muscle relaxers used for in horses?
Muscle relaxers like Methocarbamol treat and alleviate inflammatory pain in horses. This inflammation can result from myositis, neurological issues, muscle or ligament strains, and vertebral disc disease.
How do muscle relaxers work?
The exact mechanism of action of Methocarbamol has yet to be discovered. Still, it is believed to work by blocking interneuronal pathways in the spinal cord and midbrain reticular activating system, thus alleviating muscle spasms.
What are the side effects of muscle relaxers?
The most common side effect is sedation. Salivation and staggering are sometimes seen after rapid intravenous administration.
What precautions should be taken when using muscle relaxers?
Methocarbamol can cause sedation and central nervous system depression, resulting in impaired coordination. Injection site reactions may occur if blood leaks back into the injection site.
How should muscle relaxers be administered?
Dosage and administration of Methocarbamol for horses should be done under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian.
What are the most common muscle relaxers for horses
The most common prescription muscle relaxers for horses are methocarbamol, dantrolene, and guaifenesin. These medications are primarily used to manage conditions like exertional rhabdomyolysis ("tying-up"), acute muscle strains, and rigidity from neurological issues such as tetanus.
- Methocarbamol (Robaxin-V): The most widely used skeletal muscle relaxant in equine practice. It is FDA-approved in its injectable form for horses, though veterinarians often prescribe oral tablets, powders, or pastes for long-term recovery.
- Dantrolene: It is specifically used to prevent or treat tying-up episodes and malignant hyperthermia by acting directly on the muscle fibers.
- Guaifenesin: It is used intravenously in horses as a muscle relaxant, often as part of an anesthetic protocol for surgical procedures.
- Benzodiazepines: Sometimes used as an adjunct to anesthesia or to manage severe muscle spasms from tetanus.
How do prescription muscle relaxers work?
Prescription muscle relaxers for horses work by targeting the central nervous system (CNS) or the muscles directly to reduce involuntary muscle contractions, spasms, and tension. Centrally acting muscle relaxants work by depressing CNS activity, reducing the nerve signals sent from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, essentially lowering the excitability of motor neurons so muscles receive fewer "contract" signals and can relax.
Some muscle relaxants also work peripherally, directly interfering with the muscle's ability to contract at the neuromuscular junction level. All prescription muscle relaxants in horses require careful veterinary supervision.
Interested in more horse products?
Keep your horse's health in optimal condition and explore our other pharmacy medications for horses including antibiotics, electrolytes, pain relief and digestive solutions from our online catalog.
Can I purchase Prescription Muscle Relaxers for Horses online?
Absolutely. Don’t miss our top-rated Horse Grooming & Tack Supplies too! You might qualify for free shipping — just add the item to your cart to find out. Also, our Horse Essentials often include free delivery.