Azium Powder
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Azium Powder
I was recently told I should use this on my OTTB gelding, but when researching it, it scared me. I also asked someone at my barn and she is convinced the stuff causes brittle bones. Anyone want to set me straight? Thanks.
It may be best to ask the vet that advised you to use it. He/she will be in a better position to advise than soemone on this forum that does not know your horse or its problem.
A side effect of the product can be osteoporosis, which is what you are asking. You will only be administering for a short period presumably, so there would probably be nothing to worry unduly over.
A side effect of the product can be osteoporosis, which is what you are asking. You will only be administering for a short period presumably, so there would probably be nothing to worry unduly over.
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wilf
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Azium is a powdered form of Dexamethasone, a potent corticosteroid which is always handy to have around the barn as an anti-inflammatory agent and it works great for things like allergic reactions. Unfortunately it is used like candy in American racing and eventually causes several undesirable side effects ;just like the over-use of any drug. It's use generally retards the healing process of an injury whereas a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory like bute will not.
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partlycloudy
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Listen to the previous poster. Dex can cause laminitis and founder.
Azium is not as potent as it is given orally, but it also can cause founder.
After what my mare experienced (not IR) I would never give a horse dex unless it was the only thing that could save it.
The vet who gave my mare a dex shot said that it was "perfectly safe." and argued with me for 20 minutes before I said OK. That vet is no longer employed by my vet. Took my mare a year to recover.
Beware steroids for horses.
Azium is not as potent as it is given orally, but it also can cause founder.
After what my mare experienced (not IR) I would never give a horse dex unless it was the only thing that could save it.
The vet who gave my mare a dex shot said that it was "perfectly safe." and argued with me for 20 minutes before I said OK. That vet is no longer employed by my vet. Took my mare a year to recover.
Beware steroids for horses.
OTTB Mares are the greatest.
I agree. It lowers the immune system substantially. I have been scared to death of it ever since my mare was given it for allergic hives. It compromised her immune system to the point that she picked up salmonella. She was lucky, and survived, after weeks in isolation at the vet's, and a very hefty bill.
I definitely agree that it should be used only in an extreme emergency.
I definitely agree that it should be used only in an extreme emergency.
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Cree, was someone who suggested Azium a vet and is it in response to hives or some similar condition? If so, I would follow the vet's advice.
FWIW I've used Azium and dex on a particular horse on and off for years with no problems but only with a vet's supervision. OTOH I had a horse start to colic last month probably because of bute for a temporary injury. That doesn't mean I am going to stop using bute when necessary but that horse clearly doesn't tolerate it well.
But again a professional who knows the horse is the best place to start for advice on medication.
FWIW I've used Azium and dex on a particular horse on and off for years with no problems but only with a vet's supervision. OTOH I had a horse start to colic last month probably because of bute for a temporary injury. That doesn't mean I am going to stop using bute when necessary but that horse clearly doesn't tolerate it well.
But again a professional who knows the horse is the best place to start for advice on medication.
I talked to his trainer at the track, and she said they administered Azium to him when he had allergic reactions. My vet told me I could try it.
But, we figured out what was giving him his allergic reaction, and have taken it out of his food. The hives seem to be going away and he is happy as usual. I didn't use Azium powder.
If Azium powder has been used on and off, but the horse isn't on it anymore, would this still affect their immune system?
He's never sickly, but my gelding seems to get all sorts of random things wrong with him. Allergies, he had a reaction to to much protein in his diet, etc. I am wondering if there would be something from his past as a racehorse (he raced 70+ times), that may affect him still now.
But, we figured out what was giving him his allergic reaction, and have taken it out of his food. The hives seem to be going away and he is happy as usual. I didn't use Azium powder.
If Azium powder has been used on and off, but the horse isn't on it anymore, would this still affect their immune system?
He's never sickly, but my gelding seems to get all sorts of random things wrong with him. Allergies, he had a reaction to to much protein in his diet, etc. I am wondering if there would be something from his past as a racehorse (he raced 70+ times), that may affect him still now.
The horse I was talking about that needed the Azium/dex was a former Western Pleasure show horse and I ran up a couple of thousand dollars worth of allergy testing on him before we gave up trying to figure out the trigger for severe hives (he had bumps on bumps that covered his body) and pulled out the Azium/dex when needed.
If you actually know the allergen, good on you but really it could be anything from shavings with a little too much pine tar or turpentine; to something that snuck into the straw to the chemicals used to clean the blanket etc etc etc.
If you actually know the allergen, good on you but really it could be anything from shavings with a little too much pine tar or turpentine; to something that snuck into the straw to the chemicals used to clean the blanket etc etc etc.
