Owners Happy with Diabetes Drug for Laminitis

While not the same as the skinny jab (GLP-1 receptor agonists) that has revolutionized diabetes and obesity treatments for people in the last few years, human diabetes drugs called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are being used to treat equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis with some reported success. 

By promoting the excretion of glucose in the urine, this medication lowers circulating insulin levels and lowers the risk of hyperinsulinemia associated laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome. This study, conducted by researchers in Australia, surveyed horse owners predominantly in Australia and the United Kingdom to assess owner experiences, observations and satisfaction with the treatment.

An online survey of 342 owners who reported their horses had been prescribed an SGLT2i medication was used to measure the outcomes of perceived efficacy and owner satisfaction. Ertugliflozin was the most commonly (80%) prescribed medication of this type, with high insulin levels (84%) and active laminitis (60%) reported as the most common reasons. The vast majority (85%) of owners reported an improved quality of life for their horses during treatment.

Among owners who had considered euthanasia for their horses severely affected by laminitis, 80% reported the level of pain to be either mild or absent after just 30 days of treatment and 95% reported improved quality of life. There were some reported side effects, including excessive urination (20%), excessive thirst (11%), weight loss (9%) and dullness (8%). Except for excessive weight loss in a small percentage of horses, most of…