steroids and failure of laminar connection

mariab · steroids and failure of laminar connection

I was trimming a horse for the first time today and apparently she has always been sound and barefoot until last 6 weeks, now she has both front feet soles dropped down and tender walking.

She has sweet itch and owner had her injected twice with steroids, no problems after first injection, but symptoms started soon after 2nd.

Question would this cause a breakdown in the integrity of laminar (am actually reading Politts paper at present) so the coffin bone drops and sole flattens?

Has anyone any experience or any idea if this happens.

Has anybody any alternative treatment ideas for sweet itch and any detox remedies to flush out Steroids from the body or is it too late?

PasoBaby_CarolU

I've never heard of it, or steroid shots for sweet itch, or drop soles from steroids. Weird.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_itch

I see from this that steroids are sometimes used, but that would be after antihistimines failed to work, not a first treatment. Laminitis is listed as a side effect from the steroids.

Julie

Yes- steroid injections often given in UK for sweetitch to stop the itch cycle - its very common. However the vets will not ever inject a native or overweight pony with a steroid as it can cause laminitus!

Julie

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/...eroids-can-lead-to-laminitis.aspx

http://www.equipodiatry.com/news/british_suit08-05.htm

appellativo

as far as detox, its some sort of clay/charcoal mix and its called universal animal antidote, to be given after any kind of poisoning and after a course of antibiotic or injectable.

As far as sweet itch, anything that will repel the culicoides midge, such as campo phenique (mix with vaseline and apply to repel midges), and anything that will provide a barrier such as a full body fly sheet, will help provide relief. In the Horse Journal article on the subject, they said that if there are neck and shoulder lesions it could be onchocerciasis which is a long threadlike parasite that livees as an adult in the nuchal ligament. their presence causes an irritation and eventual skin breakdown that attracts flies and culicoides midges. you treat the microfilaria (immature stage) by ivermectin (standard dose).

Wash using Corona shampoo to keep away secondary infection. The article said for enhanced pain and itch control, either spray the cleansed area with bactine, or mix liquid zims crack creme into your skin care product. These products are readily available at most pharmacies. The Horse Journal list of recommended products included: Calm coat (www.calmcoat.com) shapleys mtg, boo boo balm (booboobalm.com) bare skin barrier (www.naturesbalancecare.com), C4G ointment (www.uckele.com) Su-Per Healing Ointment (www.buygpdirect.com)

I personally recommend adding anything you can to the diet that has anti-inflammatory properties, such as flax or turmeric, or things that have great antioxidant qualities, such as grape seed, etc. (see the natural horse vet products like bugcheck, allercheck, etc)

Good Luck!!

Leah

mariab

Thanks guys, appellativo will suggest these to owner, just feel that he won't bother applying stuff its to much hassle hence the quick fix steroid injections and now he has crap feet on a beautiful 4 y.o. sports horse