“When antibiotics are indicated for healing and abating the disease – and sensitivities confirm sulfa therapy – we commonly reach for EQUISUL-SDT® (Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim). The product is convenient and efficacious. We especially like it because trainers don’t have a problem administering the product, which is a huge benefit to know the horse is getting the full length and dose of prescribed therapy. Compliance is key! Being an FDA-approved antibiotic is also a welcomed advantage.”

“When we have to treat a mare for endometritis, we’re not only going to treat intrauterine, but systemically as well. We treat all infections based on sensitivities. We will select a systemic antibiotic like EQUISUL-SDT® for a full 10-day course of treatment as well as lavage and/or intrauterine infusion with a different drug that’s also sensitive. We might treat intrauterine 3-4 days, but we always treat systemically for 10 days. We also reach for EQUISUL-SDT® for persistent illnesses anytime we see a sensitivity to sulfadiazine-trimethoprim. We have had tremendous success with EQUISUL-SDT®, especially using it for the prescribed 10-day treatment protocol. We have complete confidence in this FDA-approved therapy. We find it very easy to administer to the mare and prefer to give it orally vs. on the feed as we don’t always watch them feed.”

“We don’t wait around for a diagnostic work to be completed when we see fever or infections. We immediately put them on EQUISUL-SDT® (Sulfathiazole/Trimethoprim) until we run cultures and definitively identify the causative agent. EQUISUL-SDT®  has become our first line of defense. Horses tolerate the antibiotic extremely well and the efficacy has been outstanding. I like that we finally have an FDA-approved product to use and dispense. Now we don’t have to crush sulfa pills and guess at strength and treatment time. Besides, I definitely believe we are seeing some resistance issues building up where we are using these human sulfa products. With sulfa pills being a human drug, we have no equine data on absorption and efficacy. It’s always been a guessing game. It’s a good feeling to know we have an FDA-approved product to back us up.

The owner knows how long to give the meds and they usually stay the course. The client compliance has been great. The client loves to give it because the horse enjoys the flavor. Our clients love that fact that if they don’t want to handle the horse to put it in their mouth, they can simply put it on the feed and the horse eats it instantly. The true beneficiary is the equine patient.”

“Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim (the active ingredient in EQUISUL-SDT®) concentrations achieved in the endometrium after five consecutive treatments with the oral suspension were above the in vitro MIC reported for common pathogens known to cause bacterial endometritis, e.g., Streptococcus zooepidemicus (MIC = 0.25 to 4 µg/mL) and Escherichia coli (>0.25 to 4 µg/mL). The EQUISUL-SDT® oral solution formulation represents a cost-effective option for systemic treatment of bacterial endometritis.”

“EQUISUL-SDT® is my first course broad spectrum antibiotic. Because the combination of Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim is so broad spectrum, I don’t have to worry about a quick culture result before prescribing the antibiotic. EQUISUL-SDT® is mainly used for respiratory issues, i.e., a febrile horse, elevated SAA, no cough and making a presumptive diagnosis that they have an early respiratory issue. I want a horse on this product a minimum of 10 days. With the convenient 560 mL bottles, I can script it out to a trainer/owner for 10 days.”

“EQUISUL-SDT® has become the Gold Standard in care for many pathogens we deal with. I have given up dealing with SMZ tablets. Clients don’t like dealing with them, we have never been able to get an accurate dose delivered and the clients hate dealing with the whole process of crushing and making it into a paste they know the horse will reject. EQUISUL-SDT® is already in liquid form and the horse loves the flavor.”

“EQUISUL-SDT® is a very good broad-spectrum antibiotic. It’s also good for respiratory problems. We reach for it for urinary problems as well. What Aurora has done that’s very impressive is the FDA regulatory work. They can prove that their product has better absorption and the bioavailability is much better than SMZ tablets. It’s a better product and has a better chance that it’s going to work.”

“One of the issues that really bothers me is the indiscriminate use of compounded products by equine veterinarians, when there are perfectly good, research-based products available. Equine vets think they are saving their customers’ money giving them these inferior, cheaper, unproven products. In the end, you’re hurting the horse, doing a total injustice to your client and not providing the utmost care for the horse. We must as an industry support the FDA-approved products. If we keep supporting the pirating of these drugs, the pharmaceutical companies will simple stop putting the time, money and research into bringing new products to market. This really upsets me that we’re not educating our vet students about these issues. These unethical pharmaceutical companies that we continue to support by ordering compounded products, when we already have proven products to prescribe, are causing a detrimental effect on animal safety and health. I see it every day. Only we can stop it.”