Steroid related laminintis?

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flyingfeet

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So my poor sweet itch fellow had a sheath the size of a balloon for 5 days, so I caved and went to the vets as I couldn't ride him in that state.

He had a long acting steroid injection, and now less than one week later he is hopping lame with laminitis. So that's it, he won't be able to be worked until the winter now and is currently confined in the barn whilst enjoying the ability to scratch.

So now I feel like a right prat, if I'd left him with a swollen sheath this probably wouldn't have happened.

Has anyone else had a horse with steroid induced lamninitis and what is the prognosis?
 
So sorry this has happened CSJ. My boy had to have an eye removed 2 years ago and his remaining eye is always a bit iffy. The vets talked about putting him on a permanent very low steroid dose to help his remaining eye but I was advised against this by my knowledgeable YO as one of the side effects of long term steriods is appetite stimulation and the last thing my porky cob needs is his appetite stimulated coz - bingo - laminitis on top of everything else. I think if you've caught it early and can immediately stop the steroids, ned should recover well. Don't blame yourself though - you were only trying to do what was best for him. Did the vets warn you of the side effects of steroids?
 
This is the problem, I cannot stop the steriod, its long acting and now in his system and there is nothing I can do about it.

Sadly I wasn't told about any side effects when they jabbed him, however given he has no history of laminitis I guess I may not have worried.

Now kicking myself, I am to blame, as although uncomfortable his sheath would have gone down and now I have a much worse problem on my hands.
 
Oh my goodness do not blame yourself, as you were doing the best for your horse
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What a shame he has gone down with Laminitis, due to Steroids, which is one of the trigger factors that my horse had with Cushings as due to the enlarged Pituritary gland this can happen as it controls this sort of thing in the horse, I understand.

I believe that they can be more susceptible to Laminitis once they have had a bout, but that may not be the case for your horse, but of course it is always best to keep an eye out for pottery steps and reluctance to turn, which is normally the first you know of it ... even with keeping an eye on the Digital Pulses
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Because you have removed the cause of it in your horse's case, then the prognosis should be very good
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I wish you well and will be thinking of you.
 
Oh just read about the long acting part. What does your Vet say about this?

I do wonder whether your Vet was obliged to have said somethng, as when my other horse had an injection in his pastern, which had on one occasion triggered off Laminitis (this is a well known case
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) then she was obliged to inform me of the risk. However would you had done anything different, if they had said, is the 1 millions £ question
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I wouldn't be too chuffed with my vet tbh. Surely he should have advised you before giving the steroid. I enquired once for my sweet itch cobbie and was advised about laminitis so decided against it. As dreadful as sweet itch is, as you say, its preferable to laminitis.

I do hope your chap feels better soon but I'd be onto my vet for a grumble
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vet should def. have warned you about the risk of laminitis

poor boy - hope he feels a bit better soon
 
Oh poor poor you. If you need advice on managing laminitis go to yahoo groups and look up the Metabolic Horse group - lots of people there who will be able and willing to support you and probably give you advice on prognosis etc.

Why was he swollen like that? Does he have Equine Metabolic Syndrome? My boy gets sweet itch and swollen sheath, but its a symptom of EMS - although he has been tested for all sorts over the years.
 
My boy had steroid induced lami last year, you should have been warned of the side effects as far as I am aware. I knew the risks and gambolled and lost but at least I knew up front. (And before anyone slates me he had to have the steroids for his breathing, there wasn't really a choice).
Mine were short acting steroids so we took him off them immediately and confined him to quarters. I was riding 6 weeks laters with no permanent damage if that helps. Good luck I hope everything works out for you.
 
Depends how much separation has occurred as to how long it will take the hoof to stabilise. Could be as soon as a couple of months, could be much longer. Once he is sound on concrete, allow four weeks and begin work is what my vet advises for our 12 hander. Real bugger there for you and plenty of extra work with the dietary necessities
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My mare suffered this after having a steriod injection into her hock.

The prognosis would be the same as for any form of laminitis - varied depending on how soon it was caught and severity of it. unfortunately your boy may now be more prone for the rest of his life due to the damage from this bout.

Treatment should be the same too - stabled to restrict movement on a deep shavings bed. bute and ACP imediately. may also need frog supports.

your vet should have warned you of the risks.

hope your boy makes a speedy recovery. X
 
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