EMS/IR/Metformin

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texas

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Pony has been diagnosed as insulin resistant and prescribed 3 months of Metformin, followed by a retest. Diet and management are already EMS friendly.

Assuming her insulin levels are within acceptable levels at retest. ..

Is she cured permanently to live a normal life?

Would she stay on Metformin permanently?

Or is the Metformin just making me feel like I'm doing something productive whilst putting off the inevitable?

Thank you. Mini daim bars available.
 
Every horse if different. My boy was within days of PTS until he had a course of metformin. My boy was on 16 metformin a day for 6 weeks. Once his metabolism kicked backed in, he was off the metformin and is on 1/4 Prascend per day. He has been on this for 3 years. Other horses need to stay on the Metformin and others need a combination.

They are never "permanently" cured but are managed. Personally, I would request a monthly retest because then you can see if you can reduce/increase the required dosage.

You need to take each day as it comes until you are at a stage that you are managing the problems. EMS/IR is not a death sentence. 3 years on from my boys diagnosis I completed a 13 mile sponsored ride. I have to be careful and aware of weight issues, but it is manageable.

Good luck
 
My pony had 2 bouts of laminitis both times she was fit and not fat. The first took 2 months for her to become sound and her diet and management stayed EMS friendly. The 2nd bout was triggered by the snow and she was stabled for 5 months but was still not completely sound on a tight circle. After a battle with my vet she was tested for insulin levels and prescribed Metformin. In a couple of weeks she was completely sound again. This was over 3 years ago and she has remained on Metformin with regular blood tests. Unfortunately she has had to stay on the drug because her levels rose up again when we tried to lower the dose.

For the past three years she has been competing and has regularly been placed at the top level as a whp. We are very careful with her management ad the type of round we jump her on but so far she has been fine and enjoying life. We will never just to be able to turn her away at grass, she wears a muzzle when needed and is kept in when it is frosty or snow on the ground but she leads a happy i somewhat moolcoddled life.
 
My lad was diagnosed IR/EMS summer last year, went on Metformin for just 30days, it was enough to kick start his metabolism into touch. His diet is micromanaged (was Lami friendly before) stabled day times right thru summer on soaked hay, out overnight muzzled, he is now out 24/7, 12hrs muzzled and 12 without.

His hard feed if you want to call it that is pretty much the same right thru the yr

Baileys Lo-Cal
MagOx
Agnus Castus
Brewers Yeast
Salt
Cinnamon (trials on humans and animals have proved this lowers the insulin levels significantly)

It's not a death sentence or even a sad penalty to be diagnosed, just means strict management and be on your guard for any small changes, i can tell when my lad is a bit off as his sheath immediately swells and the pockets above his eyes fill, couple of days in the box and he is back to normal.

Exercise is key, cannot stress enough how important it is, constant exercise, exercise, exercise, even 15mins on the lunge is preferable to nothing at all. I struggle now the nights are drawing in as can only work him at weekends and even that is hit and miss dependant on weather, there's only so many times you can can soaked knickers - LOL!
 
Boysy said:
His hard feed if you want to call it that is pretty much the same right thru the yr

Baileys Lo-Cal
MagOx
Agnus Castus
Brewers Yeast
Salt
Cinnamon (trials on humans and animals have proved this lowers the insulin levels significantly)

It's not a death sentence or even a sad penalty to be diagnosed, just means strict management and be on your guard for any small changes, i can tell when my lad is a bit off as his sheath immediately swells and the pockets above his eyes fill, couple of days in the box and he is back to normal.
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Out of interest where do you get your cinnamon from?
 
I get my cinnamon from Progressive Earth on eBay. My gelding has not been tested for EMS but vet seems to think he may have it. I have seen a difference since being fed the cinnamon.
 
I get my cinnamon from pro earth off ebay.

What's the salt for?

Yes, that's my struggle too with the exercise in the winter, lunging in the dark, mud and rain isn't very appealing!

I'm equally glad to hear some ponies could come off Metformin, and that others were allowed to stay on it if necessary. There wasn't much info about long term use on my searches.
 
Cinnamon off Ebay, whichever seller is cheapest at the time I need it. Salt is because IR/EMS ponies seem to sweat more profusely than 'normal' a bit like human diabetics, mine don't have free access to salt licks out in the field so I compensate with a spoon in their rations instead. My lad is a heat generator, even in deepest darkest winter with a full clip living out in 2ft snow he will be warm as toast in just a lightweight, his thermostat is a tad squint I think as even his eyebrows sweat at the moment being as the weather can't make it's mind up!
 
my lad is on metformin 10 a day

Still here, fighting fit, lami free and a very happy boy.

Regular blood tests ensure he is on the right dose for him.

Once a diabetic always a diabetic sadly, he won't be coming off the meds, but he's fine and happily has his meds

Not a death sentence or putting off the inevitable! He is in full work and happy to do it
 
just a quick post - my mare has ems for 2 years now - last year she tested and her levels were 330 had the test results back today and after more exercise and limited grazing we are down to 120 - woop woop - not correct but going the right way
 
Thank you for posting, foraday. That's made me feel better.

Great news natmac84.

Janesomerset, the guidelines I read say 1 heaped teaspoon per 125kg bodyweight.
 
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