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Thyro L and dentals

Shera Felde
 

I have two unrelated questions. Story is recovering from this long dark episode of laminitis. She is due for a dental. Is this a bad time to do other procedures like a dental or not a problem?

I also have read that being overweight (which Story is not currently) is not a cause of laminitis. Should I keep her on Thyro L indefinitely if this is the case? She is an easy keeper with the corresponding crest and fat pads.

Thank you,
--
Shera Felde, Central Oregon, 2020
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Story%20and%20Shera
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=253720

Sherry Morse
 

Hi Shera,

Does Story need to be sedated for her dental work?  If she is there are some recommendations on sedatives for the IR horse. 

As far as your 2nd question - being overweight by itself may not cause laminitis, but in a horse that is IR (which Story is) carrying excess weight is a sign that diet is not as controlled as it could be and that may lead to laminitis.  This is why we emphasize such strict management with IR horses. 

In looking at your Case History and bloodwork, there is no recent information on Story's current insulin levels but her previous test results have her well over the accepted range and into the range of 'will cause laminitis'. If she still has fat pads and a hard crest even if you feel she's not overweight that's a sign her IR is not currently well controlled and she's still in danger of laminitis. 

Should you decide to stop the Thyro-L be aware that it needs to be weaned off of slowly to allow the horse's thyroid to start functioning again.


Thanks,
Sherry and Scutch (and Scarlet over the bridge)
EC Primary Response 
PA 2014
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sherry%20and%20Scutch_Scarlet 
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=78891



Shera Felde
 

Thank you, Sherry. She does need sedation. Shall I search under that word here for topics?

Her last insulin test was >200 the beginning of Nov. We've been trying WIRX and did about 2 weeks of Metformin. I will test again soon. It's true, even when her body looks slim, her crest and fat pads do not go away, but she looks more like herself again and is walking (even turning) more normally; thank God!
--
Shera Felde, Central Oregon, 2020
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Story%20and%20Shera
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=253720

Kirsten Rasmussen
 

Shera, there is a file called Sedative Effects that will give you some information.  Unless you think it's urgent, you could hold off on her dental until her insulin has come down.

Could you add your new bloodwork, meds and an update on Story's condition to your Case History please?  Also, are you soaking her hay right now?  And have you managed to lower her BCS?

--
Kirsten and Shaku (IR) - 2019
Kitimat, BC, Canada
ECIR Group Moderator
 
Shaku's Case History  
Shaku's Photo Album   

Sherry Morse
 

Hi Shera,

I think this may have been mentioned before but if she is a 6 at 1000lbs that is not her ideal weight and she probably needs to lose a bit more than the 25lbs she was over as of your September update.  It's hard to judge from pictures but if she still has a crest and fat pads that's a good sign her IR is not under control (not to mention the elevated insulin).  Is there a reason you only did 2 weeks of Metformin? 

At this point is her hay being weighed so you know exactly how much she's eating per day?  Were she mine I'd be feeding no more than the 18 pounds a day total including hay plus concentrates.  That means weighing the cups of pellets and subtracting that from the amount of hay she's being fed daily.  I would also suggest replacing the pellets (assuming you're using those as a carrier for minerals) with a bit of Stabul-1 or ODTBC that you know is under 10% ESC+starch.  Your hay is on the high end for ESC+starch so you may want to consider soaking it and see if that helps with her crest and fat pads if you're still feeding that first cut. 

Thanks,
Sherry and Scutch (and Scarlet over the bridge)
EC Primary Response 
PA 2014
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sherry%20and%20Scutch_Scarlet 
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=78891


Shera Felde
 

Thank you, Sherry. I just updated the case history and uploaded it. Keeping track of everything is a challenge!

I stopped the Metformin because it was giving her lip sores; the articles on it also had very limited success; and I started Wirx after talking to that vendor so I want to see if that measurably helps her insulin (she said she thought it would given their research and results). So far, Story doesn't mind the cinnamon and cranberry. She wouldn't eat her mix with the copper and zinc so I'm currently not giving her that. I soak when I can but sometimes the temps freeze the hoses. In all her 9 years, even when ridden regularly and slim, her cresty neck and fat pads have never gone away, so that is my challenge if that is a reflection of her ongoing insulin.

The farrier says her feet look good which I'm pleased about, but the rollercoaster of comfort is hard.
--
Shera Felde, Central Oregon, 2020
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Story%20and%20Shera
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=253720

Shera Felde
 

Thank you, Kirsten. I just uploaded case history with updates. Soaking when I can (hoses unfrozen) and the vet has not given her a score lately. She looks good though (as far as the midsection goes) but still cresty.
--
Shera Felde, Central Oregon, 2020
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Story%20and%20Shera
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=253720

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