Steroid induced laminitis

WelshD

WelshD

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My sweet itch sufferer has been biting at his sheath and scratching at his ears, I was distracted by the lambing only for a few days I could kick myself

Pony has had a bath today, sore spots treated with cream from the vet, snuggy hood on and deosect applied

Vet left steroids last year which the pony was on for a while with no problems. They have given me some for this year 'just in case'

I'm not sure if I am over reacting but I feel I want to use them to stop pony doing more damage. The vet saw the pony a few weeks back and declared him in trim enough condition to take the risk if needed (no problems at that point, the vet was there to remove his wolf teeth)

Part of me thinks it's a blip caused by my inattentiveness and that he will be fine in a few says but part of me is worried he will get in a state again

But I'm so worried about giving the tablets and him getting laminitis
 
It is your decision really but if in doubt perhaps try to manage the problem first ans see how it goes. Can you stable your horse at times when the midges are bad and use a sweet itch rug too?
 
It is obviously your decision but it may also be worth taking into account that the grass is so much richer this year than last year which combined with the steroids could cause a big problem.My old horse years ago was given steroids for a knee injury and got Lami by day 2.I try to avoid them at all costs now.People are being hit with Lami this year who have never had it before.I think I would really try controlling it in other ways before turning to steroids.Good Luck.
 
Thank you both - I think I am just getting worked up

Yes I can and will stable him that's not a problem. Good point about the grass - the last time he had the steroids we were heading towards autumn too
 
My neighbours pony (not overweight) was given steroids for sweet itch. It triggered lami so bad she was PTS within days :-((((((((

It's a rock and a hard place with severe sweet itch I know. But I'd hate to have to take that risk.
 
If you can manage his treatment without them persevere. Steroids are bad news

The can trigger Insulin resistance in the same way they can trigger diabetes in humans.

Nasty things!
 
it happened to our welsh. Super fit pony -a very good weight in hard work . Had steroids for stifle and spent march to nov last year on box rest with severe laminitis . I would never use them again after seeing the state my poor boy was in it's heart breaking. You could try clipping and a good regular medicated shampoo if yoy havent already
 
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