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Drugs that affect skeletal muscle function fall into several categories. Some, such as neuromuscular blocking agents, are used during surgery to produce paralysis. Others, such as skeletal muscle relaxants, reduce muscle rigidity and spasms associated with various neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions (see Drugs and Vaccines: Skeletal Muscle Relaxants* ). In addition, there are several drugs that influence metabolic and other processes in skeletal muscle, including the nutrients that are required for normal muscle function and that are used to prevent or lessen degenerative muscular conditions. For example, selenium and vitamin E are used to prevent or treat muscular dystrophies such as white muscle disease in foals. The steroidal, nonsteroidal, and various other anti-inflammatory drugs are also commonly used to treat short- and longterm inflammatory conditions involving skeletal muscle. Anabolic steroids promote muscle growth and development and are administered in selected cases in which serious muscle deterioration has developed as a complication of another disease (see Drugs and Vaccines: Anabolic Steroids*).
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| Skeletal Muscle Relaxants* |
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Drug
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Animal(s)
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Dantrolene
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Horse
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Diazepam
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Cat
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Guaifenesin
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Dog, horse
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Methocarbamol
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Dog, cat, horse
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Phenytoin
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Horse
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*Many of the drugs listed are not directly approved by the FDA for use in the species listed. Veterinarians decide what drug and dosage to use for an animal based on their experience, published reports, and continuing education.
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| PrintOpen table |
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| Anabolic Steroids* |
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Drug
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Animal(s)
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Boldenone undecylenate
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Horse
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Nandrolone decanoate
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Dog, cat
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Stanozolol
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Dog, cat, horse
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*Many of the drugs listed are not directly approved by the FDA for use in the species listed. Veterinarians decide what drug and dosage to use for an animal based on their experience, published reports, and continuing education.
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Last full review/revision July 2011 by Philip T. Reeves, BVSc, PhD, FACVSc; Jörg M. Steiner, DrMedVet, PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA; Dawn Merton Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP; Maya M. Scott, BS, DVM; Ian Tizard, BVMS, PhD, DACVM; Jozef Vercruysse, DVM, DEVPC
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