EMS ADVICE

[Pwllhen18]

EMS ADVICE:
After a couple of bouts of laminitis I had pony tested for EMS, unfortunately she's off the scale 300+.

She's been prescribed Canagliflozin and is on day 4 of an initial 30 day course.

Keen to hear anyone's thoughts on this medication, good or bad. TIA x

 

[dreamcometrue]

I’ve not heard of canagliflozin for EMS. Mine had Metformin. Are you in the UK?

 

[Pwllhen18]

Hi yes I'm in Wales, canagliflozin is used to lower insulin levels in humans I believe. My vet gave me a prescription and I had to pick it up from our local pharmacy x

 

[Highmileagecob]

No experience of medication I'm afraid - it wasn't offered when my old boy was diagnosed as 'probable' by the vet. Encourage trickle grazing, either on a track or by using a grazing muzzle. Don't restrict food, just stop it from being stuffed down in minutes by placing large smooth stones in the feed bucket, double netting forage, and splitting the forage ration between three or four nets to encourage moving around. Exercise plays a big part in reducing insulin levels, which is difficult once you have laminitis. You are essentially dealing with type 2 diabetes, and anything you can do to stop insulin levels from spiking will help to control EMS.

 

[dreamcometrue]

There are some Facebook groups that offer good advice and people who have experience of different treatments. Equine Metabolic Syndrome Friendly Chit Chat is a nice one x

 

[Red-1]

Mine was EMS but it resolved with weight loss. I am talking skinny as opposed to well covered.

The vet says he will still be EMS in reality, but will test negative and not suffer from it while-ever he is skinny.

 

[Pwllhen18]

Thank you all, we're hoping to show pony this year, LR initially then FR once daughter gains confidence.

She's definitely making improvements as before medication she would drink no end of water!! I carry 5gallon container up everyday and she would often need a top up in the evening as she would have drunk it all. She's definitely not a thirsty.

 

[Red-1]

Thank you all, we're hoping to show pony this year, LR initially then FR once daughter gains confidence.

She's definitely making improvements as before medication she would drink no end of water!! I carry 5gallon container up everyday and she would often need a top up in the evening as she would have drunk it all. She's definitely not a thirsty.

That isn't a lot of water at all. I would be worried that she was drinking too little at that!

Rigs has 2 fresh buckets in his stable every day, and a fresh trug that holds 3 buckets as well outside. I would throw a lot away, but prefer it to be there so he won't run out. The one time he did run out (pooed in his indoors trug as it was then - hence changing to 2 buckets, then the outdoor water froze) he got colic.