Metaformin

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Rollin

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My ??? laminitic mare is going downhill fast.

Vet came again today and can see she is getting worse now 16 days of box rest. He won't prescribe metaformin because he knows nothing of EMS and has asked me to call in specialist vet or take her to hospital. Both are going to take time.

I can buy metaformin from my local pharmacy but for people there are three different strengths. Can someone tell what the strength is for horses please?
 
does the dosage not go on the result of the blood test for insulin? could your vet not just take a fasting blood test and send the bloods off and then speak to a specialist himself?

not much help sorry.
 
My boy is on Metformin after a Glucose loading blood test showed his Insulin was off the chart! They usually dose according to weight and then there is room for manouvre - we are having another Glucose loading test next week to see if his doseage is ok or if he needs more.

You are obviously very concerned for your mare, and as your vet doesn't seem to have the knowledge, if I were you I would call the Laminitis Trust helpline.

Self administering drugs could do her more harm than good. You could also ask your vet to call Andy Durham at Liphook who could explain to him how to test for Insulin Resistance (EMS), Cushings etc and what the best medication for her would be.

Good luck with her - I really hope she starts to improve soon x
 
I can't offer any help, but just want to check you know Metformin is a prescription medication - you won't be able to buy it over the counter! Good luck working something out, I'd suggest hastleing your vet to follow it up with a specialist
 
I see you are in France so maybe you can get it over the counter there. My boy is 500kg and is prescribed 18 Metformin tablets a day (2 x 9). I think they are 850mg each. He was prescribed it based on symptons and prior to treating for cushings instead. He responded so well he was kept on it, but has never been laminitic.

Best wishes for your mare.
 
My pony was tested as ins/res his insulin level was 300 should have been 20 ish after a month of metformin 2x8 tabs daiiy it went down to 265 so decided it wasn,t working pony was tested positive for cushings so is now on 2 x half mg.of perglide, strict diet and excersise when possible the last test the insulin was 37 so a great improvement .I joined yahoo group for equine cushings and have found it very helpful .Good luck
 
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