Steroid Induced Laminitis

K

Keltic

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 January 2008
Messages
4,253
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
Its looking like Katie might need a course of oral steroids as the inhalors are not working as much as we need. So im concerned about streroid induced laminitis, any one have any information on it?. I will speak to my vet again tomo as Katie is going for a video scope and lung wash.
Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this? Anything that can be done to prevent this or lower the risk? Thanks
 
My mare had steriod type injections into her hock she was more at risk then of lami and developed lami this year for the first time however vet said caught the signs early before full lami if that makes sense. Its a case of being careful and watching what you feed them and their weights.
 
Thanks, im trying to find out as much as I can as I know very little about other causes of laminitis other than the usual, my friends mare has laminitis at the moment so have learnt alot more about it recently. I dont want to get into a situation where im sorting one problem and creating a bigger one.
 
My pony had oral steroids which caused lami in one back hoof initially.
Unfortunately, he deteriorated and the outcome was as bad as it could be.

My current mare has had a blood test to assess her insulin levels. Apparently, this can give the vet an indication of how susceptible they are to laminitis. It may be worth asking your vet about this before you proceed. It doesn't guarantee they won't get it but it may make the decision whether to administer steroids easier.
 
There are a lot of variables and there seems to be little published data regarding the relationship between corticosteroid use and laminitis.

The likelihood is greater with potent corticosteroids such as dexamethasone and triamcinolone and lesser with drugs like prednisolone or prednisone.

In horses that have already sustained lamellar weakening, the use of corticosteroids may bring on a bout of laminitis. The same may be true where a very mild or subclinical case of laminitis has gone unnoticed by the owner. In horses where a case of laminitis has previously been diagnosed, corticosteroids should be used with caution and the horse should be carefully monitored for signs of laminitic pain.

Long term or excessive use of corticosteroids can cause a number of metabolic changes and this too can increase the risk of laminitis. Stress can also be a factor.

Quirky has raised a good point re: insulin levels.

My vet (equine) regards the short term use of corticosteroids as being low risk in the absence of previous laminitic episodes. My horse is currently undergoing steroid treatment. No problems so far, but still early days.

Definitely have a good chat with your vet about Katie and the pros and cons of steroid treatment in her case.

Hope she responds well, whatever the treatment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top