Can Steroid Injections In Horses Cause Laminitis?

Steroid induced laminitis: The administration of corticosteroid drugs can sometimes induce laminitis in horses and ponies. Although this condition is widely recognised, the incidence of cases is extremely low.

Can joint injections cause laminitis?

Triamcinolone (Vetalog) is one of the most common corticosteroids used for joint injections in performance horses. Although there is little hard evidence to support the concern, it has also been implicated as causing laminitis as an unfortunate side effect.

What are the side effects of steroids in horses?

Laminitis is a possible side effect from any corticosteroid use in the horse. Be sure to discuss with your veterinarian the risk factors and how to monitor your horse for laminitis. Increased urination (polyuria), increased water consumption (polydypsia) and muscle wasting can be seen with prolonged dexamethasone use.

What are the 3 inciting causes of laminitis?

There are 3 main causes of laminitis: Overload, Inflammatory and Metabolic.

• Overload Laminitis. Relatively less commonly, horses can get laminitis from overload, typically associated with non-weight bearing conditions in one limb thereby overloading the opposite limb.
• Inflammatory Laminitis.
• Metabolic Laminitis.

What are 4 causes of laminitis?

Laminitis can be caused by many factors, including overeating (obesity), working on a hard surface (commonly referred to as road founder), running high fevers, exposure to black walnut shavings, and stress. Ponies are extremely susceptible to laminitis, especially when fed rich, lush forage.

How do steroids cause laminitis in horses?

We propose that excessive glucocorticoids cause structural changes that weaken the hoof-lamellar attachment over many months, thus predisposing horses to laminitis for other traditional reasons.

Why does my horse keep getting laminitis?

What causes laminitis? Laminitis is usually a consequence of an underlying hormonal disorder and/or an inflammatory condition. Hormonal disorders which contribute to many laminitis episodes include equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, or equine Cushing’s disease).

What are five major negative side effects of steroids?

Side effects of anabolic steroids

• fluid retention (also called water retention or oedema)
• difficulty sleeping.
• damage to nerves from injecting steroids.
• irritability, mood swings, aggression or depression.
• increased sex drive (libido)
• skin changes – acne that results in scarring.
• more colds.

What are 5 common side effects of steroids?

Common side effects of systemic steroids include:

• Increased appetite.
• Weight gain.
• Changes in mood.
• Muscle weakness.
• Blurred vision.
• Increased growth of body hair.
• Easy bruising.
• Lower resistance to infection.

How long do steroid injections last in horses?

Hock injections can be effective anywhere from 6-12 months. If your hock injections are only lasting 8-10 weeks, your horse may be a candidate for laser arthrodesis (surgical fusion).

When is it time to put a laminitic horse down?

The horse is unlikely to die from laminitis, but an owner may take the decision to euthanase their animal if the pedal bone penetrate the sole so that the outlook is very poor or if their animal does not respond to appropriate treatment over a prolonged period.

What are the first signs of laminitis?

SIGNS

• Lameness, especially when a horse is turning in circles; shifting lameness when standing.
• Heat in the feet.
• Increased digital pulse in the feet (most easily palpable over either sesamoid bone at the level of the fetlock).
• Pain in the toe region when pressure is applied with hoof testers.

Can you reverse laminitis?

Laminitis is irreversible and once clinical signs are observed, the damage is already underway. At this point, it is important to minimize further progression. Treatment largely involves pain management and supportive care.

Does cold hosing help laminitis?

Horse owners should not be tempted to stand horses or ponies suffering from laminitis in a stream or to cold hose their hooves. Although it may initially make the animal more comfortable, prolonged cold will make the condition worse.

Can a horse with laminitis eat grass?

High amounts of sugars in grasses can bring about laminitis in horses susceptible to the disease. Susceptible horses should have limited grazing or no grazing.

How do you get rid of laminitis in horses?

As previously stated, NSAIDs are the most commonly used analgesics in horses with laminitis. Phenylbutazone is the most efficacious drug for controlling orthopedic pain in horses and the most common analgesic therapy for laminitis.

What months are worse for laminitis?

Spring is traditionally known as a peak time for laminitis, but the latest research shows that the second biggest killer of horses and ponies is an all-year-round threat.

Can a horse fully recover from laminitis?

Summary. In many cases of laminitis, horses can have a full recovery within six to eight weeks. However, every horse’s recovery time will depend on the extent of damage to the laminae in the hooves and how quickly healing occurs.

What are the five predisposing factors for laminitis?

Predisposing factors for laminitis include:

• Grain overload.
• Systemic infection and/or endotoxemia.
• Obesity.
• Grass ingestion.
• Cold water ingestion.
• Excessive concussion to the feet.
• Chronic overloading of the feet.

Is long grass better for laminitis?

Most horses do not need the high nutritional value and benefit from the many fibers and the low nutritional value of long grass. Because older grass also contains less sugar, this is also safer for horses that shed in the summer or are sensitive to laminitis.

Should you starve a laminitic horse?

Overweight or laminitis-prone equines should never be starved as this can cause further metabolic complications. Forage intake must not fall below the equivalent of one percent of the horse’s body weight per day and, for those on a strict diet, will need to be weighed.