prednisolone

[kip]

My poor horse has been dealing with a terrible case of scratches for a year!!! I have had the vet out so many times that he finally threw his hands in the air and told me he doesn't know why they aren't getting better (which didn't go over well with me) I have tried every remedy that he suggested such as creams that lower the pH of his skin, fura zone, keeping his legs wrapped with the cream underneath the wraps, keeping him out of any wet grass, zinc oxide, DMSO, vinegar, antifungal cream, a cream that my vet mixed up (I am not sure what he used in the cream), a special shampoo for scratches that he prescribed (can't remember the name), I even blow dry his legs to make sure they are completely dry after riding!!!!!!!!!!!

After my vet finally threw in the towel I consulted with another highly respected vet who prescribed prednisolone. I have read about Prednisolone and am officially freaked out at the side effects and was wondering if anyone here had any opinions on its effect in horses. I desperately want to help my horse but I don't want to hurt him more in the process. The vet did put him on a low dose.

[Gry2Yng]

I cannot comment on the scratches. I can only tell you that I had a SEVERELY ill gelding from what we *think* was some sort of internal abscess (liver or lungs) which was causing purpera (among a whole host of other things) and the prednisone was not getting the job done. We went to prednisolone. Keep in mind, this horse was also getting chloramphemocol. We were in a live or die situation. We are now 2 years post and doing fine. Best of luck to you. Scratches suck.

[perpetual_novice]

My grade Percheron has chronic lymphodema. The outward signs are nasty scratches like lesions. Internally his lymph system is slowing down. We keep it under control by having him out on 24/7 turnout and high doses of prednisolone.

Without the pred, he is at risk for acute attacks of lymphangitis. When we have tried to cut his dose back his joints start to get puffy, the lesions worsen and he starts to move stiffly.

When he had a flare-up of lymphangitis before he started on the prenisolone it took over four months for him to get over it. He required two weeks of daily IM injections (two injections every third day) and of course the damage to the lymphatic system is cumulative. We did not get rid of the last lingering puffiness until he was started on the pred.

He has been on the prednisolone for nearly two years, although originally we had hoped it would be a short term treatment. Eventually it will likely compromise his adrenal system. However it is a case of deciding what is worse -- the treatment or the actual condition. I thought I was going to lose him when he had lymphangitis and if he has another incident I will likely have to let him go as it is so painful and persistent. He is also getting to be an older gentleman now (at least 20 and perhaps older).

The prednisolone has helped him maintain a decent quality of life and he is a pretty happy camper.

Hope this treatment will help your horse. Scratches and other related conditions are so difficult to deal with.

[rcloisonne]

I cannot comment on the scratches. I can only tell you that I had a SEVERELY ill gelding from what we *think* was some sort of internal abscess (liver or lungs) which was causing purpera (among a whole host of other things) and the prednisone was not getting the job done. We went to prednisolone.
Prednisone is practically worthless in horses:

The results of these studies indicate that prednisone has poor efficacy for the treatment of heaves because it is poorly absorbed and the active metabolite prednisolone is rarely produced. In contrast, prednisolone tablets have excellent bioavailability and should be useful as a therapeutic agent in horses.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12108748

[rcloisonne]

After my vet finally threw in the towel I consulted with another highly respected vet who prescribed prednisolone. I have read about Prednisolone and am officially freaked out at the side effects and was wondering if anyone here had any opinions on its effect in horses. I desperately want to help my horse but I don't want to hurt him more in the process. The vet did put him on a low dose.
The main drawback is if he does have a skin infection, suppressing his immune system with systemic steroids could make it worse, much worse.

If it were my horse, I'd want a more definitive diagnosis of the problem before going the steroid route. Have you or the vet shaved the area and tried Panalog?

[cloudyandcallie]

I agree with Rcloisonne.

And be careful of steroids in horses. They can cause laminitis and ensuring founder.

Pred in dogs causes liver problems with extended use. (Liver cancer in one of my dogs.)

I'd only use pred in the "live or die" situation that one poster mentioned.

Much of the skin issues with horses and dogs is cause by lack of fat in the diet. A product by NAF called "D-Itch" cured my dog where pred failed with skin allergies, however NAF does not sell in the USA now (UK company). The D-Itch is actually marketed for horses. (My vet prescripted the Pred and when it didn't work and I used my horses' D-Itch, the vet said it was holistic and put more fat in the dog's diet.)

[Perfect Pony]

This horse could very well have an immune system problem that requires an immune suppressant. My horse had vasculitis and the only thing that worked with him was a combination of antibiotics and prednisolone.

Once again, there is no such thing as "scratches" and these chronic cases rarely are cured by topicals. I highly recommend having your horse seen by a dermatologist, or at the very least have biopsies done on the affected legs.

[Perfect Pony]

also, do you have any pictures of the affected legs?

[pinkdiamondracing]

I acquired an OTTB one winter from a freind who was no longer using him. When he came to me, he had horrible scratches on both front feet (which are white) so badly that his coronet bands were inflamed to the point that the shoer would not even trim his feet until they cleared up.
To make a long story short,I put him on a 5 day round of Gentocin, and lo and behold--- scratches gone!!! Whatever systemic thing he had going on that was bringing on these scratches cleared up, and the scratches never came back.

[jse]

There is nothing wrong with prednisone if you use it correctly. We had a horse who was suffering from scratches and we used prednisone for a week and all of his problems are now gone with nothing in sight for about 3 weeks now. Does your horse have a lot of white? Is he/she grey?
You just have to make sure to wean them off of it as it has the same effect on them as it would you.
I am an ulcerative colitis sufferer and I sometimes have to take this steroid so I am fairly familiar with how it works. It's not good to use frequently but for severe conditions it's really OK...

[jse]

Prednisone is practically worthless in horses:



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12108748

Just an FYI this study is based on horses with HEAVES..... and in the end it states:
In contrast, prednisolone tablets have excellent bioavailability and should be useful as a therapeutic agent in horses.