Ertugliflozin is a drug that has been used in humans to address hyperinsulinemia and diabetes, but it is also showing promise in helping horses with hyperinsulinemia and laminitis that have not received relief from management changes.
This drug limits the amount of insulin released by the pancreas after a meal.
Horses taking the drug have shown “surprising” improvements in lameness scores and insulin levels in less than a month, reports The Horse. The affected horse's body condition also improved.
Dr. Tania Sundra, owner of Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services, in Australia, noted that a lot of the horses were comfortable enough to come off non-steroidal anti-inflammatories 7 to 14 days after beginning to receive the drug.
Sundra presented these findings at the 2022 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Nov. 18 to 22 in San Antonio, Texas. She also noted that the drug also helped with chronic laminitis cases, even those so severe that the owners were contemplating euthanasia.
Sundra used the drug on 51 horses her practice cared for that had been lame from laminitis for an average of 41 weeks. These horses had not responded to traditional management and diet changes. She treated the horses for 30 days at a dose of 0.05 oz/lb orally.
The scientists found that the average insulin concentrations decreased more than seven-fold and the laminitis scores dropped dramatically (from 10 to 1 on the 12-point Obel scale); some of the horses went entirely sound in just two weeks.
Sundra notes that the drug is not a replacement for diet and management changes for metabolically challenged horses, and it does have possible side effects to use. Use of the drug nearly doubled the serum fat concentrations in horses in the first 30 days of use, though none developed clinical signs of hyperlipidemia.
Ten of the horses showed excessive urination and thirst, so it's imperative that they have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Read about some additional drugs used to treat EMS or PPID and their side effects here.
Read more at The Horse.
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