Cushings and water provision

[sarahhelen1977]

My 28 year old IDx mare has suspected Cushings - she has had fairly low-grade laminitis for the past few years, and this past year has seen an increase in her drinking, and so peeing - to the point where she is peeing almost every time she moves. Other than this she seems quite happy within herself, and although we haven't tested for Cushings we have decided (my vet and myself) to put her on Pergolide, and this certainly hasn't had any adverse effects, but it has only been a few weeks, so I am yet to see any major changes to benefit her.
Since her increase in water consumption I have been giving her an extra bucket of water overnight (about 12 gallons in total) which for a normal horse would generally be sufficient for 24hrs. During the day she is out with a self-filling water trough, so has a constant supply of fresh water.
My question is, would you limit her intake overnight? (she doesn't normally come in before 9pm and is out again by 8am) or continue to provide her with more than she wants to drink? I am not overly worried about the wet bed - she is on Aubiose and rubber matting, so it is fairly easy to manage, but my concerns are for her kidneys having to work overtime, but on the same note I don't want her to be uncomfortably thirsty, as she is unlikely to keep eating her hay if she doesn't have the water to 'wash it down', and I don't want her to lose condition.
Thoughts please!!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I would say that if her body is telling her she is thirsty and needs to drink, not letting her have access to water would only cause her distress. Cushings isn't a kidney disease so her kidneys should manage ok. At the ripe old age of 28 I think I'd just go with what makes her content and comfortable x

 

[brighteyes]

Yep, so would I. The Pergolide will take a while to kick in. Hope she improves soon. Just keep an even closer eye on her.

 

[hellybelly6]

I would let her drink. Some cushings horses can have diabetes too.

 

[gothdolly]

frequent urination can be a symptom of cushings and is often resolved if the pergolide dose can be got right - if it does not improve in a few weeks ask your vet about increasing the dose.
Some people have also reported a decrease in urination and excessive drinking when using Vitex/Agnus Castus.
Definately let her drink if she wants to, and good luck with the old girl

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

Keep water available, and the pergolide will kick in in a few weeks time! then hopefully this will reduce closer to normal!

Hope everything is going ok!