Veterinarians at Liphook Equine Hospital in Hampshire reviewed the records of horses admitted to the hospital between January 2001 and November 2001 which had been administered oral prednisolone. The horses that were given the drug were matched with two horses treated at the clinic which had not received the drug and thus acted as controls, EQUUS reports.
Prednisolone is a glucocorticoid, an anti-inflammatory that offers relief to horses suffering from traumatic injuries, respiratory issues and allergies. Though incredibly beneficial, these drugs can cause laminitis, a painful condition in which the sensitive layers of tissue inside horses' hooves become inflamed.
The vets collected data on each horse's age, breed, condition, dose and duration of prednisolone administration, as well as whether the horse had Cushing's, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), or any previous history of laminitis.
When deciphering the data, the vets found that the use of prednisolone in the frequency and dosage given at the clinic did not increase the patient's risk of laminitis. In horses with metabolic or endocrine disease, which are already more susceptible to laminitis, prednisolone use did not increase laminitis incidence.
The vets noted that precautions should still be taken when using prednisolone and that these findings may not apply to other glucocorticoids like dexamethasone.
Read more at EQUUS magazine.
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