Pentoxifylline & High Heart Rate

[Diamondindykin]

My horse has been prescribed Pentoxifylline for acute Laminitis. Pentoxifylline is a human blood thinner. My vet said that this particular drug has very little side effects in horses. The first odd thing that I noticed was that his gums were bright red. I told my vet about it and that is when he wanted me or my trainer taking his vitals everyday. His heart rate has been high and when the vet came out last night it was VERY high. He immediately pulled him off the drug in case that was the reason. He pulled blood for a CBC to make sure everything is ok.

Has anyone else experienced a similar problem with Pentoxifylline?

[rcloisonne]

It is chemically similar to theophylline and caffeine.

Less common side effects include tachycardia, headaches and central nervous system stimulation.

Recently there has been increased interest in the use of pentoxifylline to increase microcirculation to the foot in the treatment of navicular disease and laminitis. The indications would be similar to those for isoxsuprine use. This use of pentoxifylline is based on extrapolation from work done on intermittent claudication in humans. Although there may be clinical benefits from the use of this drug, work by Fehr and Baxter shows that pentoxifylline and isoxsuprine do not increase blood flow to the digit or the laminae.


http://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/monographs/pentoxifylline.asp

[MR]

Interesting... I'm new to Pentoxifylline, also, & was just searching online about it.

My gelding was just put on Pentoxifylline about 4 days ago (we're giving him 1 month of it for treatment with newly diagnosed navicular breakdown). We had tried Isoxyprene last year (breakdown in his other front foot) & noticed no effects either way. He's been responding to corrective shoeing as the only treatment for the last year. Just giving him the 1 month of blood thinner again this time as help/preventative until the shoe kicks in (trying Pentoxifylline this time, since we already tried the Isoxyprene without any change).

I haven't noticed any reaction in my gelding. However, I will definitely check his gums, etc tonight.

I read the same thing as the above poster copied in. There were a few other things online, reiterating that symptoms can look like those from caffeine.

Sorry I'm not any more help - good luck with your horse!