Insulin Resistance and Metformin

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MrsNorris

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My horse has IR, he has the swollen sheath, fat pads and lives off fresh air. He's never had laminitis as he is very carefully managed, only out at night, restricted grazing, muzzle, very low sugar diet to carry appropriate supplements plus ridden at least 6 days a week. He has recently been off work due to a kick injury and, despite my best efforts, has gained a fair bit of weight during that time.

I've put him on a chromium supplement and increased his magnesium a bit but am considering asking my vet about metformin. We've spoken about it before, but my vet says its unproven in horses. Just wondering if anyone else has used it with success?
I work so hard to keep this horse healthy, I would be gutted if he came down with laminitis now, his fat pads look hideous and I'm worried sick about him. He's back in work, but only walk at the moment, and it could be a while before he's in proper work again. Any experiences or ideas very gratefully received..
 
I used it short term on my laminitic pony who had fat pads and was struggling to become comfortable after a long term abscess, he just had it for a month and it seemed to kickstart his metabolism in some way as the fat pads went, the cresty neck went all within the month, he came off it and the neck has not returned although he has put weight on the pads are nothing like they were.
My vet was quiet happy to prescribe when asked as we were dealing with a lot of issues relating to the deep abscess so exercise was not possible, I did not have him tested it was purely a "try it and see" exercise, he considered it would do no harm and may be beneficial which it proved to be, that is enough proof for me.
I think many stay on it permanently but that may not be necessary, it may be worth approaching your vet the same way I did mine, I just said could I give it a try for a short while and he handed over the months supply.
 
i have used it this year with my mini who came down with laminitis and was found to have ems. She has been on 7 metformin twice a day ,no issues really helped with losing weight and her insulin dropped from 300 to 7 so we are now reducing it.
 
I'm interested in this as my horse has similar plus laminitis which was caught before it became too acute and cushings was suspected, so he is on a Prascend trial. Just had a 2nd ACTH test taken yesterday, if it still isn't high this might be my next discussion with the vet
 
ihatework said:
Be Positive, would you mind me asking approx cost for a month trial?
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Sorry no idea, it was in with the huge bill I was paying for all the treatment he was having at the time for the foot, not insured so I never dared look at it in detail just went in and paid it off over the months but in the overall scheme of things it was not much that I do know, probably no more than £30-40 so definitely worthwhile, not sure I would want to pay that every month but I suspect it can be used short term possibly once or twice a year but that would require more testing to prove so most just go on it long term.
 
Thanks everyone, sounds promising, will contact my vet today and ask for a a months worth.

JillA, mine has also had a 3 month prascend trial after a borderline (in the seasonal high) and then negative cushings test, he was tested and treated due to unexplained lethargy. Didn't make any difference to my horse so we're assuming he doesn't have PPID now, the lethargy resolved eventually over time, took about a year though before he was back to normal, never found a cause for it although we have been managing for IR since then, so maybe connected to the management? I'd also be interested in costs Be Positive, is it cheaper to get a script and fill it yourself online?

Sorry, cross posted..

Edited to say just seen you can buy the tabs for 14p each online, but vet charges about £20 for a prescription, will have to get my calculator out!!

Just seen the 850mg on sale for 4p each, anyone know the approx dosage?
 
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My pony has EMS, he is on 44 tablets a day, I use the powder metaformin which is £40 per tub and lasts me 2 weeks ish. The tablets are cheaper but need grinding up first.

It has worked and helped him loose weight whilst being turned out on restricted grazing.
 
Have done a bit of research, seems dosage is 30mg per Kg bodyweight, given twice a day, this works out at about £1.40 a day for a 500kg horse using the 850mg tabs at 4p each, but that's not including the price of the prescription from the vet. Will speak to my vet today and see if he's willing to prescribe, and what he would charge to supply.
 
I believe current thinking is that if a horse is on low sugar ,restricted grass regime already then metformin may not be any help,and really is only for horses that cannot be exercised due to to lami for example.
 
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