can a 7yr old have CUSHING'S DISEASE up-date

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tikino

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well my little lad has had his blood tests done and has cameback with excess of calcium and liver enzymes which gives an indication that he has Equine Metabolic Syndrome. he has also had other blood tests done and they have been sent away to be analyised. the plan of action is that once a positve result has came through he will be going on Pergolide not sure what dose yet as bloods have been sent away to get corret dosage for him as well. we will just have to wait and take it from there. i feel both happy ans sad as i knew something was wrong but at the same time didn't want anthing to be wrong. anyway he will get an treatment going for as long as he is doing well as he has a home for life just a wee reminder of origonal post

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3738171/an/0/page/1#3738171
 
I know what you mean about hoping nothing's wrong, but at least now you have an explanation for things not being right. The best thing is its something wrong that the vets can actually do something about. It isn't curable but many ponies who weren't well become happy, healthy ponies on pergolide for many years.
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well I am glad that you know whats up now
If its metabolic syndrome, that is different to cushing's as it does not (to my knowledge) mean there is a tumour in the pituitary gland so thats another positive!
 
At least he has a good mum who knows her stuff and will get her sleeves rolled up and set about tackling his EMS. He is a lucky boy in a way. If you can be lucky with EMS. I wish you all the best and highly recommend you check out Yahoo Groups Themetabolichorse. Jackie et al on there are simply encyclopaedias of knowledge on this.

(hugs) x
 
ems - equine metabolic syndrome

its also known as peripheral cushing's syndrome as it has similar (but less severe (often)) symptoms and is not always caused by a growth/tumour in the pituitary gland, it can just be a hormone imbalance, or be caused by an adrenal gland issue instead!

just as a help understanding bit!
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And isn't there some evidence it's hereditary - or has some link in breeding lines? Definitely our Welsh ponies are often found to have it, and though I am in no way suggesting the OP is guilty of it years of overfeeding also sows the seeds....

A diagnosis is often the door to the cure. Let's hope so for this pony. What a cutie!
 
You can manage the disease through diet and general horse care e.g. dental work, persistent farriery (more commonly requried than for a 100% healthy pony!)

Brighttinsel - some people in my research have suggested it is hereditary(sp?!) as they have owned brother, sisters, sires, dams etc to their effected horse/pony and have stated that they too got the disease.
however I have not been able to find any literature regarding this, possibly as it would mightly involve a rather invasive investigation which could cause issues in getting a research license to do it!
But I am not 100% sure (sorry)
 
Hi there
My gelding has EMS although I wonder if horses with this condition will eventually develop in to cushings disease, only time will tell on that one.

it can be managed through diet, follow recommendations for laminitis prone horses, and definately join the metabolic horse yahoo group, if only to read the extensive information in the files.

Good luck.
 
CassRose, EMS is different to Cushings.
Cushing's is caused by a pituitary tumour. where as EMS is caused by other things (which can be more varied)
so from what I have learnt NO EMS doesn't progress to Cushing's, if the same horse gets both, it means the tumour or hyperplasia has occured.
However the same "type" of horse/pony can be prone to both (which is just unlucky!)

I agree with the recommendation of the yahoo group, there is both a metabolic horse group and a cushing's group! both very helpful!
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