Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in an industrial solvent turned anti-inflammatory therapy. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical use on horses. However, veterinarians regularly use the chemical off-label in other ways to treat an array of inflammatory conditions from laminitis to neurological problems, writes Christine Barakat. She shares some history and facts about DMSO.
DMSO is a little like aspirin; something that many people use without necessarily thinking too much about how it works.
Source: EQUUS, January 17, 2019. Link. Learning more about DMSO may help you appreciate how it can be useful in maintaining horse health and comfort:
- The therapeutic properties of DMSO were essentially discovered by accident
- DMSO’s anti-inflammatory properties come primarily from its antioxidant action
- DMSO draws fluid from tissues
- DMSO can carry other substances through the skin
- DMSO may provide pain relief on its own
- DMSO is a prohibited substance in some sports
- DMSO use in horses hasn’t been studied extensively
Whether applied topically, orally, intravenously or by injection, DMSO requires careful handling.
Also see: Harnessing the power of DMSO, EQUUS, February 8, 2012. Link.
INSIGHTS: Nearly 50 years have passed since the approval of DMSO for horses. It is a good time to review its properties and safety requirements.
DMSO is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), just like phenylbutazone (“bute”). Unlike bute, however, DMSO controls inflammation primarily by acting as an antioxidant.