NSAID’s In Competition Equines Essay -- horses, law

Presently in the United States there is a law against consumption of NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in horses during competition. The Federation Equstre International (FEI) wants to propose a new law allowing the consumption of these NSAID’s in competition horses. Therefore, with every new law passed some are for and some are against it. Each side has a knowledgeable reason behind their choice to be for or against the change. The FEI wants to look at all sides equally and make their educated assessment for the new rule inclined. Inflammation is a normal response to tissue damage. There are five signs of inflammation called cardinal signs. Theses signs include: heat, pain, swelling, redness, and loss of function. Inflammation can be considered one of the leading origins of discomfort in an injured or ill equine animal. When an NSAID is given to horses the cardinal signs are controlled, and damage to the inflamed tissue is reduced (Crabbe). NSAID’s in equine’s can be useful, but they can also cause negative side effects that, in a long-term use, can cause more negative effects on the horse and possibly decimate them. Barb Crabbe, veterinarian, says; â€Å"When NSAID’s block the damaging effects of prostaglandin, they also block these protective mechanisms, putting your horse at risk for ulcers throughout his GI tract† (Crabbe). Although Crabbe feels there are several negative side effects Davis feels there are only two negative side effects cox 1 and cox 2. These two negative influences cause the bad side effects in NSAID’s. Cox 1 gets in the way of the body’s natural reaction to inflammation. Cox 2 controls the pain and helps to control the remaining inflammation (Davis). Nevertheless this does not mean NSAID’s ar... ...ecture. Cuckson Pippa, â€Å"FEI NSAID Congress Addresses Science and Ethics of Drug Use†, www.chronofhorse.com, The Chronicle Of The Horse, August 24, 2010. Pierre Louis, â€Å"How To Use Irrelevant Plasma and Urine Drug Concentrations in Doping Control in the FEI† , FEI NSAID Congress , Switzerland, 2010, address lecture. Princess Haya, â€Å"Opening Address†, FEI NSAID Congress, Switzerland, 2010, address lecture. Roly Owers, â€Å"What Are The Ethical and Welfare Implications of Permitting the Use of NSAIDs During Competitions?† FEI NSAID Congress, Switzerland, 2010, address lecture. Willis Grania, â€Å"FEI president welcomes long overdue congress on NSAID’s†, www.Dressagensw.com, Equestrian Australia, n.d, February 6, 2014. Tim Ober, â€Å"The Pros and Cons of Reintroducing NSAIDs to FEI Sport†, FEI NSAID congress, Switzerland, 2010, address lecture