Steriod injections - ever refused one for your horse?

[Gingerwitch]

With my run of luck, i have just asked the vet not to give a steriod injection to little lad tonight - just to give him bute and antibiotics and see what the morning brings.

I feel sick that i may have with held something he may need, but would have been even more worried about him developing secondary lami.

I just feel sick full stop - i just want to cry - i cant be with him tomorrow because of my leg, i cant drive i cant walk and i am fed up of having to ask everyone to do stuff for me.

He has two rather deep cuts to his cannon bone, it does not look like he has damaged the tendon sheaf or the joint, but he has developed a fully swollen leg (lymphangitus)

Vet let about half an hour ago and i just feel so deflated and just worried.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I think you are very wise indeed to be very reluctant to go for steroid IJs - my friends pony had to be PTS after steroid IJ triggered really horrendous lami and so I would regard it as a valid treatment option but a last resort.

The bute should help the inflammation and at least if the horse still need the steroid injection you will know you tried to avoid it, so if it does invoke lami, you dont need to have the ;why did i' thing gnawing away at you.

Try to ignore the worry about asking others to do stuff - they would rather you asked than struggled and it is for an animals welfare - they will step up as you would for them.

Hope there is some better news tomorrow for you re the leg - let us know how things go...

 

[MerrySherryRider]

No, I didn't refuse a steroid injection but did ask the vet about the laminitis risk. he explained a in detail why he felt it was appropriate and the likelihood of complications were. He was able to reassure me and horse was fine.
At the end of the day, if you weren't reassured, then you take the decision with your horse's best interests at heart. You can always change your mind if he doesn't improve.
Don't feel bad, you're doing what you think is best.

 

[Gingerwitch]

HR - i lost a horse through a sedative in August this year - that was a one in a billon reaction - and the vet said that he had never had a reaction but wanted to make me aware of the possibility, after knowing what i had been through.

My answer was a - does he HAVE to have it or can we do something else first - so we have gone with the something else first.....

I just hope it was the right call

 

[MerrySherryRider]

In your situation, I'd be just the same. I do hope it works out well for you and your vet probably understands very well.
Sending get well vibes to your boy.