Steroid induced laminitis

Although not steroid induced my ex-brood mare (not overweight) got chronic laminitis with rotation in both pedal bones last Sept, no classic symptoms and vet and farrier both thought it was just foot bruising. We did all the usual treatment (box rest, soaked hay, remedial farriery etc) and luckily she has recovered in a (for such serious laminitis) relatively short 6 months. She was diagnosed with PPID. She however did have her ArcEquine unit on for the duration of the treatment period and it definitely helped to accelerate healing and manage pain. It is also very good for skin conditions. I use the system on all my horses (and me!) for any illness/injury and for preventative maintenance and wouldn't be without it. Might be worth looking into for your mare. I'd be happy to provide further info on my experiences by PM.

All the best for her successful recovery.
 
EPS said:
I'd second looking at setting up a track system/paddock paradise in the paddocks. Definitely works a treat limiting grazing but encouraging movement, get it started now and get her out on it asap. The movement will encourage the blood to keep pumping which is essential for recovery, the longer stood about the longer and harder the recovery will be for the whole body. If you want any ideas or info on setting up a 'track' feel free to PM me. It was my laminitics last resort and saved her life!!!

Another good feed to introduce would be Thunderbrook, give Debbie a call and discuss all of the issues ongoing, she is amazing and really knows her stuff.
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Thanks for the info. I will certainly look into this. There is a lot of perm fencing, and not like post and rail where you could just take one section down to make a track around the whole of the land so it might have to be around 2 fields to begin with.

How soon did you put yours out on the track?

Vets have said strictly not to leave the stable for first 2 weeks while horse is on bute then to see how she as. Apparently the foot is too unstable to do much movement then, and can make it worse.
 
Time on box rest depends on whether she's rotated and if so, whether she continues to do so or stops. Recovery of rotational laminitis is a much bigger deal.
 
l_i_z_z_i_e said:
Thanks for the info. I will certainly look into this. There is a lot of perm fencing, and not like post and rail where you could just take one section down to make a track around the whole of the land so it might have to be around 2 fields to begin with.

How soon did you put yours out on the track?

Vets have said strictly not to leave the stable for first 2 weeks while horse is on bute then to see how she as. Apparently the foot is too unstable to do much movement then, and can make it worse.
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I didn't box rest at all, sectioned off a small bit of field at first but she just seemed to get worse, the pain was enough to limit just how much she moved about so I gave her the choice, I had the support of an amazing trimmer who came weekly to check the changes in her feet. She had AdLib hay and Thunderbrook feed - I think changing to that really was another turning point, the gut cleanse to help detox the whole body worked great. I think worming was what tipped her over the edge so that was just what she needed.

I had all the usual advice from vets but I went against most of it. There is a lot of new and upcoming research about laminitics and there is some interesting findings regarding the effects of chemicals such as wormers, vaccines etc etc. A friend of mine was VERY sceptical about my actions, until she lost her made due to a sudden bout of lami. She is now pouring her heart into getting to the bottom of what causes it and why.

Good luck, again feel free to pm me, it can be tough to go through xx
 
Great general laminitic advice from EPS but Steroid induced laminitis is very different and shouldn't be confused with treating the metabolic sort. In essence the steroids are causing the problem, not the diet, so until the steroidal effect has stopped, no movement should be undertaken.....this needs vet management to say when it's safe for movement to occur.
 
Having been in for a week now, bute was decreased to 1 per day yesterday. Unfortunately she seems much more sore again today, so bute is going back up and xrays & cushings test (just to be safe) are booked for Tuesday.

Really hope she starts to feel better soon :-(
 
I have no idea how long it takes for the effects of steroids to subside but in the mean time, how long are you soaking the hay? Are you using clean, fresh water each time? I would also rinse the hay well.

There is an emergency diet on this page under DDT -diet on the left. http://ecirhorse.org/

I think you are wise to get bloods done.
 
amandap said:
I have no idea how long it takes for the effects of steroids to subside but in the mean time, how long are you soaking the hay? Are you using clean, fresh water each time? I would also rinse the hay well.

There is an emergency diet on this page under DDT -diet on the left. http://ecirhorse.org/

I think you are wise to get bloods done.
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She hasn't had steroids for c. 10 days now, so I should imagine they are very much out of her system. Just googled it and it said up to 36 hours.

I am soaking the hay for 12 hours, so soak when I do her in the evening for next morning etc. Clean water each morning and evening and before giving to her I rinse it and leave to drip. She is having this ad lib. I am also going to try and source some of last years hay this weekend.

I have also got some magnesium oxide which I am adding to feed, along with a rock salt lick ad lib, and a vitamin/mineral supplement which should arrive today.

She has also had magnetic boots on for about 6 hours out of 24, but I have left these off today on vets advice as she has a swollen leg today.
 
Sounds like you are doing everything possible. I didn't mean to offend btw, just wanted to see if there was anything else I could think of. Some don't realize that re-using soaking water isn't helpful.

Fingers firmly crossed she starts to improve soon.
 
Hi, just been looking for information on this condition as a horse I ride had steroids after a kick in the field and now is lame on all four and all four legs have really swollen up and she can't move bless her. Vet is coming this morning so trying to find as much as I can out about it so I can be supportive to her owner. Never knew steroids could cause laminitis :-/
 
Haphazardhacker said:
Hi, just been looking for information on this condition as a horse I ride had steroids after a kick in the field and now is lame on all four and all four legs have really swollen up and she can't move bless her. Vet is coming this morning so trying to find as much as I can out about it so I can be supportive to her owner. Never knew steroids could cause laminitis :-/
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Yes it certainly can, not very common with oral steroids i have been told. Mine was lame all round for a little while, but not really only front feet are an issue and one more than the other.

I have had xrays done, they are yet to be measured exactly but hind feet look fine, front right is pretty much ok with maybe a tiny bit of rotation and front left (which was the initially very lame leg) has some definite rotation and sinking. Bute has been reduced down over the last 3 weeks and she is now on half morning and half night, which we are going to stop on Weds and see how she is. She is definitely a lot more comfortable than she was, but still a little sore on both front feet. Farrier is going to come out if she is comfortable off bute and do an appropriate trim and discuss shoes/clogs with vet.
 
Thinking of you Lizzie. With sinking (which is what I feared with this steroid induced laminitis) months of box rest is needed, sorry you're enduring this situation.
 
Andalucian said:
Thinking of you Lizzie. With sinking (which is what I feared with this steroid induced laminitis) months of box rest is needed, sorry you're enduring this situation.
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Thanks. Luckily she does seem a lot more comfortable, which is good. Now just a question of time, healing and my lovely farrier and vet.

Spoke to the vet at lunchtime, and she has measured up the xrays, and there is c. 10 degrees rotation in the bad foot (front left) and a small amount in the front right. Hinds are fine. Vet is going to talk to farrier this afternoon so will be interesting to see what they both think.
 
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