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  Discussion on Counteracting Steriods
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Posted on Friday, Oct 22, 1999 - 2:17 pm:

Hi everyone:
My horse sometimes needs oral steriods (Azium) for heaves. When he takes these he gets kinda tired. I read in the human "pill" book that Azium type steriods can decrease potassium in the body. Do you think giving my horse electrolytes (sp?) would help, just while he's taking the Azium. Or is there something else I can do to help the bad side effects from steriod use?
Liz

Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 1999 - 8:41 am:

Hello Elizabeth,
As long as you follw the instructions I do not think it would be harmful to try. Though I will use Azium for the first couple of days, I switch to prednisolone (prednisone is not recommended) after the acute bout. The 1/2 life allows a good antiinflammatory response but allows for some recovery of the normal regulation of fluids and electrolytes.

How often are you having to treat your horse Elizabeth, have you gotten your horse totally out of the barn? Remember every acute episodes looses a little more lung permanently. Review the articles on Diseases: Respiration: COPD and Medications: Antiinflammatories: Steroids: Alternate Day Therapy
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 26, 1999 - 1:15 pm:

Hello Dr. O and everyone:
I just had to treat him three weeks ago and there have been two other times since March 1999. However, after the last bout he was moved outside 24 hours except he comes in to eat and when I ride him in the indoor arena.
Another question...In winter, if the barn supplies hay to horses out in the pasture, will that hay cause him to react? He is currently totally off hay. Thanks again for all of your help. Liz

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 27, 1999 - 7:16 am:

If he is allergic it is possible he will. Hay fed outdoors tends to have a lot smaller percentage of the mold spores end up in the horses respiratory tract due to the wind blowing it away before it can be inhaled. So the answer will depend on:
1) how sensitive your horse is
2) how many mold spores are in the hay
3) how much wind is blowing
4) how protected the hay is from the wind
DrO
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