Oral steroids and laminitis. What are the risks??

soulfull

soulfull

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6 yr old 16hh WB. Has respiratory infection that has responded to initial AB's and ventipilmun. Scoped but results not yet back. Vet given different AB's and 100 a day prednisilone
I spoke with vet re concern of lami and was told not too worry
However what little I can find on web specifically for oral steroids says that some vets still don't recognise the risks

Can anyone give me more info or experiences please
 
Sorry to hear your horse is poorly. My friends horse was given steroids and it did trigger laminitis. However, this was a few years ago and it may be a different one than you have been prescribed. I think it may have been an injection too. Knowing you, you will be ultra careful in your management and I'm sure he will be ok. Fingers crossed.
 
I had a horse go down with mild laminitus after a hock steroid injection.

However I have also had another horse given oral steroids for a respiratory problem and was absolutely fine.

Just monitor carefully.....vets don't like admitting there is a link, especially when the risk is low, and the benefits of steroid treatment outweigh this risk.
 
My boy was diagnosed with COPD last year and had a bad spell when we were trying to get it under control and the vet said the best thing for him would be a 10 day course of dexamethasone injections (one every other day), followed by a 6 week tapering course of dexamethasone tablets. I was really worried about laminitis and spent a long time discussing it with my vet who said the risks were very low, I realised that George needed the treatment and agreed to it.

He was absolutely fine, I kept a really close eye on him but had no problems whatsover and the treatment made a radical improvement to his breathing.

The vet did say that I should check his temp regularly whilst on the steriods, as apparently they can easily mask the symptoms and signs of infections. Nothing to do with laminitis, but something to be aware of.

All the best.
 
Thank you all!! Your right iamlym I am keeping a close eye on him
George. Will check temp too. Ta
Off to read the research link
On the plus side he does seem a lot better already :). Will know just how much better when I ride later, vets want him exercised ASAP and he seemed fine on the lunge last night
 
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