Toss the milk but not the cereal.
That’s what I’d do if both had passed their expiration dates.
Turns out we can be equally as selective when it comes to horse medications, too.
Dr. David Ramey weighed in with this article.
Dr. Rachel Flaherty
Both he and Dr. Rachel Flaherty of Maine Equine Associates say the decision depends on a few factors:
How you keep them:
- It’s best to keep them not too hot or cold and at a constant temperature. In the fridge is often a good option for many. Bad options? Your truck. Your trailer. Your barn (unless it’s climate-controlled).
What you’re using them for:
- Wormers are one thing. But if you’re relying on a medication in a critical situation, it might be best to stay ahead of expiration dates.
“You never want to be worried about the effectiveness of your Banamine (flunixin meglumine) during a colic,” said Dr. Flaherty. “So certainly it can be used for about a year after its expiration date for lameness or musculoskeletal issues.”
Another heads up:
- Be aware of spreading germs from one use to the next, especially if you’re trying to reuse a medication on more than one horse, said Flaherty.
“Eye ointments really should not be used multiple times on multiple horses. Once you’re using it for a specific treatment you should get rid of it afterwards. A lot of germs can live on the surface of the ointment or the container.”
MEA offers a nifty program if you’ve bought medications from them — Return them unopened and with still a few months before their expiration date and you can exchange them for newer ones.