Cushings - anyone had experience of nervousness or extreme behav

[Wagtail]

Just wondered if anyone has experience of early Cushings behavioural symptoms, and in particular nervousness, bolting or other similar out of character behaviour. My farrier mentioned he had seen this in a few horses, but I have only had one horse with Cushings and she was more lethargic rather than hyper. Thanks.

 

[BayLady]

Yes, my normally steady and incredibly sane mare turned into a quaking, bolting mess. She'd had some early symptoms of cushings for a good while, a thicker than normal coat that didn't shed and I had to manage her grass intake quite strictly, but they were manageable so she wasn't being treated. She then had a bad winter where I really struggled to keep weight on her (not normally an issue) and she had to be heavily rugged as felt the cold much more than usual. Going into the spring her personality just changed. First she seemed depressed and withdrawn but that progressed into her being very spooky and erratic whilst ridden, which wasn't like her at all. When she turned into a quivering wreck due to being able to hear walkers talking but not see them, and bolted home with me over ploughed fields, I called the vet and said I wanted her on prascend! Bloods were done, came back positive and within two weeks of being on the drug her normal personality returned.

 

[Wagtail]

Yes, my normally steady and incredibly sane mare turned into a quaking, bolting mess. She'd had some early symptoms of cushings for a good while, a thicker than normal coat that didn't shed and I had to manage her grass intake quite strictly, but they were manageable so she wasn't being treated. She then had a bad winter where I really struggled to keep weight on her (not normally an issue) and she had to be heavily rugged as felt the cold much more than usual. Going into the spring her personality just changed. First she seemed depressed and withdrawn but that progressed into her being very spooky and erratic whilst ridden, which wasn't like her at all. When she turned into a quivering wreck due to being able to hear walkers talking but not see them, and bolted home with me over ploughed fields, I called the vet and said I wanted her on prascend! Bloods were done, came back positive and within two weeks of being on the drug her normal personality returned.

Thank you. I'm so pleased your mare returned to normal. How old was she when she first had the symptoms?

 

[BayLady]

She was about 14 when symptoms first appeared and 17 when the temperament change happened and she was put on Prascend. We had another 3 years after that, 2 of which were fantastic, 1 a mixed bag of ups and downs, leading to more downs in the last few months. I let her go over the bridge when 2mg of Prascend plus muzzling, restricted turnout, retirement and 4 danilon a day weren't enough to keep her happy and field sound.

 

[JillA]

I suspect it may be due to how she metabolises (or fails to) any magnesium in her diet. Cushings has many different symptoms, mine had very few of the classic ones except those related to IR but she has very high ACTH levels so definitely PPID (Cushings)

 

[Wagtail]

She was about 14 when symptoms first appeared and 17 when the temperament change happened and she was put on Prascend. We had another 3 years after that, 2 of which were fantastic, 1 a mixed bag of ups and downs, leading to more downs in the last few months. I let her go over the bridge when 2mg of Prascend plus muzzling, restricted turnout, retirement and 4 danilon a day weren't enough to keep her happy and field sound.

It is such a rollercoaster ride with them when they get like that. I battled for two years with my beloved mare who could not be kept field sound, even when muzzled and thin. It is the most heartbreaking and tragic thing to have to let them go when despite everything you try, they are still sore. I am sorry about your mare, but at least the prascend gave her a couple of good years.

I suspect it may be due to how she metabolises (or fails to) any magnesium in her diet. Cushings has many different symptoms, mine had very few of the classic ones except those related to IR but she has very high ACTH levels so definitely PPID (Cushings)

Interesting thought, thank you.