Glucocorticoid-induced laminitis with hepatopathy in a Thoroughbred filly.

This research studied a 3-year-old Thoroughbred horse which developed laminitis and liver problems believed to be caused by repeated administration of a steroid. It also highlights the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for treating blood in urine, but mentions the prognosis for treating steroid-induced laminitis remains uncertain.

Horse Presentation and Symptoms

• The horse was presented at a hospital due to symptoms of hematuria (blood in the urine), lack of appetite, weight loss and depression.
• It had been previously treated for right carpal lameness with daily doses of a steroid, called triamcinolone acetonide, for 10 consecutive days.
• Further clinical examinations revealed vaginal hyperemia (increased blood flow), bladder wall inflammation, neutrophilia (high level of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell), lymphopenia (low level of lymphocytes, another type of white blood cell), polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst) and laminitis (inflammation of the tissue inside the hoof).

Hepatopathy Diagnosis

• The horse also showed elevated levels of certain enzymes and bilirubin in the blood, indicating liver disease (hepatopathy).
• No further abnormalities were found in the additional hematology, serum biochemistry and urinalysis conducted.

Laminitis and Hepatopathy Suspected Cause

• The research suggests that both the laminitis and hepatopathy were most likely caused by the repeated administration of the exogenous corticosteroid.

Treatment and Prognosis

• Despite the laminitis undermining the success of the treatment, the horse’s hematuria noticeably improved after receiving electroacupuncture stimulation.
• The acupuncture protocol targeted kidney, lumber related and associate acupuncture points, and was done once at 5Hz frequency, 1-2V, and lasted for 40 minutes.

Conclusion

• This case study illustrates that horses under steroid treatment might develop laminitis and steroid-related hepatopathy.
• It also emphasises the importance of early recognition and proper management of laminitis to prevent further complications.