While Yellowstone is well-known for its accurate portrayal of the horse industry and featuring top professionals in the Western performance horse industry, a recent episode highlighted a major error that reminded viewers that entertainment on screen isn’t always accurate.
In the episode aired on Nov. 17, Banamine—a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug—was incorrectly administered intramuscularly to treat a rattlesnake bite. The issue here is that Banamine should be given orally or intravenously, as intramuscular administration can be dangerous.
[READ MORE: Bute vs. Banamine—What’s the Difference?]
Why is this a big deal?
For years, many horse owners and even some veterinarians believed it was safe to administer Banamine, also known as flunixin meglumine, via intramuscular injection. However, injecting Banamine into the muscle can lead to serious, potentially life-threatening consequences.
When Banamine is injected into the muscle, it can cause muscle damage and create an environment for Clostridium bacteria to thrive. These bacteria, which naturally exist in healthy muscle tissue, can become active in response to muscle injury, potentially leading to clostridial myositis, a serious and sometimes fatal condition.
Photo by eds30129/stock.adobe.com
What are the signs of clostridial myositis?
Clostridial myositis is a rare but serious bacterial infection that causes muscle inflammation, tissue death, and the release of dangerous bacterial toxins into the bloodstream.
If a horse develops this condition after an IM injection, you may notice:
- Swelling, heat, and pain at the injection site
- Depression, fever, loss of appetite, or colic
Clinical signs of clostridial myositis appear 6-72 hours following the injection. If left untreated, the bacterial toxins can spread through the bloodstream, making the condition life-threatening. Immediate veterinary attention is critical and may include supportive care, antibiotics, and surgical removal of the affected tissue.
What to do instead?
If you’re uncomfortable giving your horse an intravenous injection, the injectable product can be effectively administered orally, or you can opt to have a paste on hand. However, if you are ever unsure of how to administer a medication like Banamine, always check with your veterinarian.
[More on Clostridial Myositis]