This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Steroids, Overview of Antiinflammatory Use »
  Discussion on ADT
Author Message

Posted on Sunday, Jan 2, 2000 - 9:11 pm:

Hi Dr. O,
My question refers to your reply of a post under
skin diseases-maybe I should have put this there
but it is in reference to Dex vs prednisone (prednisolone is now recommended instead of prednisone)
You mentioned using the pred with the ADT. My vet
had me try to wean down and go alternating days
with the dex. This didn't work and he needed 3ml
(I use a suringe and put it in his grain) daily
until just a feww weeks ago when it was cold
enough to kill all bugs off. From the articles, I
couldn't tell the difference between the two drugs
and why one maybe more affective. Can you help me
understand the differences and should we start in
the very early spring before any signs of itching
starts with the ADT instead of the antihistamine
as my vet suggested.
I don't want to get stuck using a steriod daily if
starting early means we can go everyother day.
Kim

Posted on Monday, Jan 3, 2000 - 1:05 pm:

The big difference between the two drugs is that prednisone (prednisolone is now recommended instead of prednisone) has a shorter life in the blood as a result by using it every other day the horses endocrine system gets a rest from the exogenous steroids preventing many of the downsides of long term steroid use. The best time to start is several weeks prior to the historical start of itching. Starting dosages are given in the articles.

Allergies can be a lot like a fire: when it starts and is small it is much easier to extinguish than when it has burn a while. You can attempt antihistimines, I occasionally get an email from someone for whom they were effective. It has been my experience and others that they are not helpful in most cases of culicoides itch.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Mar 27, 2000 - 2:57 pm:

Dr.O,
If we start with ADT before the bugs start(it is getting unseasonablly warm here and he has rubbed his nose-but I've seen no culicoides just afew mosquetoes (SP!)) Do we still need aloading does of dex with the prednizone? I really don't want to mess with the antihistimines as the chance is low it will work and it is very expensive. Last fall we tried 30 50mg pill daily but his allergies really had never completely calmed down from summer.

Thanks, Kim

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 28, 2000 - 1:59 am:

No, if you start ADT prior to the onset of allergic symptoms a loading dose is not needed.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC