Equine glucocorticoid therapy: Clinical Applications and Adverse Effects

Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used medications for managing equine diseases due to their effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. particularly in the management of Equine Asthma, and joint inflammation. Despite the vast utilization of Glucocorticoids, their associated adverse effect must be carefully considered. Glucocorticoids are known to induce adrenal insufficiency and when administered intraarticularly, they are implicated as suppressors of chondrocyte matrix synthesis. This review aims to comprehensively investigate the essential clinical applications of Glucocorticoids in equine medicine and to concurrently evaluate their adverse effects. Methods: in this article horse glucocorticoid therapy, uses and effects searched in databases like Google scholar and PubMed. Relevant and valid studies published from ۲۰۱۶ to ۲۰۲۳ were selected and used as sources. Results: Evidence suggests that GCs exert significant effects on equine Asthma by effectively controlling the clinical signs. Equine Asthma is characterized as a chronic, non-infectious inflammatory disease affecting the lower airways. GCs also demonstrate efficacy against joint inflammation, which is especially prevalent in performance horses. This inflammation is clinically marked by pain and lameness and results in reduced physical performance. These potent therapeutic applications are attributed to the strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of GCs. However, the potential adverse effects, including adrenal insufficiency and the suppression of chondrocyte matrix synthesis, necessitate cautious consideration during clinical use. Conclusion: Despite the known adverse effects associated with the use of GCs in equine medicine, GCs are indispensable in equine clinical practice due to their function in controling joint inflammatory conditions and equine Asthma. Therefore, to achieve the highest possible efficacy while minimizing the recognized systematic and local side effects, it is recommended that GCs are used with meticulous care and thorough evidence-based guidelines.

کلیدواژه ها:

Equine ، Asthma ، Inflammation ، Adrenal ، Chondrocyte