Reaction to Steroid Injection

[majobgeorge]

I wondered if anybody had or knew of laminitis following steroid injections. My freinds horse has been stiff in his hind legs for a while now, more noticeably in spring/summer. He is approx 16.3 and slightly overweight. He is worked most days and does low level dressage but has been failing to perform and is definitely not enjoying being worked in the school but is not so reluctant out hacking. The vet diagnosed bone spavins last week and followed this up with steroid injections into his hocks. 2 days later he went down with severe laminitis. It has been a week now and he is not improving, he seems to be getting worse. He lays down a lot and struggles to get up and weight bear. The vet came out again tonight and can't understand why he is so bad as when testing his hooves he says they are not that sore. Has anybody seen this reaction before or does it sound like he may have some other problem. I hope you don't mind me asking about a horse that is not a Dales but the advice givem on here is always so good.
Many thanks

Jackie

[harveydales]

Really sorry to read this. How upsetting for your friend; she must be absolutely distraught. I haven't any personal experience of this happening but know it does and vets will weigh up each case very carefully the pros and cons of administering steroids. Some years ago Harvey had a skin allergy complaint and the vet discussed steroids with me. I decided against it although the vet said this particular type was much safer than most. So I'm, sure your friends vet didn't administer the steroids lightly. Just very, very unfortunate for the poor horse.

Apparently this is a very bad year for laminitis, so my vet was telling me the other day when she came out to see Frankie for his wheezing. It makes sense that your friends horse is reluctant to bear weight and struggles to get up. He will want to take the weight off his front feet because of the laminitis and yet the spavin problem will cause him pain if he takes weight on his rear end. Presumabley they've got him stabled with good supportive bedding for his feet and enough room to turn and move easily. I'm sure he'll be on strong painkillers and the other appropriate lami medications? 1 week isn't long. I had an old cob who got laminitis and his feet didn't really respond to hoof testers as being particularly sore but he was in severe pain. He did have strong digital pulses all round and for the first week I felt he was getting worse, not better. I think the vet changed the painkiller from Bute to another one, which he responded better to. It was a long haul but we did get him back to full fitness. Hopefully it will be the same for your friend.

[cadeby]

Unfortunately, acute laminitis can be associated with iv or im steroid injections and it can be very severe - ie. sinking/rotation of the coffin bone, with a very poor prognosis
A vet should always warn an owner that this risk exists prior to injecting steroids, so that the owner can make an informed choice. There was a high profile legal case several years ago where an owner received hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of compensation for the loss of a valuable dressage mare, when a veterinary team failed to warn of the risk.
I would ask for x-rays of the affected feet to ascertain how severe the damage is. It may be that ongoing treatment is futile, or that there is hope for recovery. Good luck to your friend xx

[dalesnfellfan]

I am also aware of cases of laminitis brought on by steroids, a horse in my village developed laminitis a couple of years ago after steroid injections, the vet did warn the owners of the risk but the horse was very ill and the steroids were deemed necessary, unfortunately he had to be put down.
Also my friends horse developed colic recently after a steroid injection into his knee but haven't heard of this being common.

My daughter was warned against having steroid injections for her new pony for sweet itch as she is over weight and thought to be a high risk for developing laminitis.

I hope your friends horse improves soon, it must be very distressing for her.

[Debbie]

Very sadly, I know of this being a very serious risk to the use of steroids, and I am so sorry for your friend. I agree with Cadeby and would suggest to the team that they xray the feet if they haven't already to assess if they need to continue treatment or not.