Cushings blood tests

[Bradsmum]

I have an elderly companion pony who was diagnosed with cushings earlier this year. She has since had 2 blood tests to check she is on the correct dosage of Prascend. I had her tested for cushings originally because she lost weight, though showed no other signs. She is now on 1 tablet a day and is in good condition and I am very happy with her. However I now need another prescription and the vet wants to carry out yet another blood test. Is this usual? Without sounding heartless, she is elderly and a companion so I want to keep her 'running' costs down but these are now escalating what with the medication and the diet she is on. How often do others have to have their ponies tested?

 

[canteron]

I have an elderly companion pony who was diagnosed with cushings earlier this year. She has since had 2 blood tests to check she is on the correct dosage of Prascend. I had her tested for cushings originally because she lost weight, though showed no other signs. She is now on 1 tablet a day and is in good condition and I am very happy with her. However I now need another prescription and the vet wants to carry out yet another blood test. Is this usual? Without sounding heartless, she is elderly and a companion so I want to keep her 'running' costs down but these are now escalating what with the medication and the diet she is on. How often do others have to have their ponies tested?

I think your vet is rather old fashioned. My horse is needle shy and we did and prascend trial - which worked - before going on the drug full time. I cut the dose in half because she was so full of herself on a full pill and she is now a very happy horse and back to her old self on half a pill.

Tell your vet that what you are looking for is a happy horse, not one with perfect blood results! There is a growing body of evidence that blood tests/prascend dose/clinical signs are not completely directly connected and each horse reacts slightly differently. You know your horse a great deal better than the vet and if the dosage she is on is giving you a contented horse, no need for another test IMO.

 

[paddy555]

I think your vet is rather old fashioned. My horse is needle shy and we did and prascend trial - which worked - before going on the drug full time. I cut the dose in half because she was so full of herself on a full pill and she is now a very happy horse and back to her old self on half a pill.

Tell your vet that what you are looking for is a happy horse, not one with perfect blood results! There is a growing body of evidence that blood tests/prascend dose/clinical signs are not completely directly connected and each horse reacts slightly differently. You know your horse a great deal better than the vet and if the dosage she is on is giving you a contented horse, no need for another test IMO.

all of this. Mine tested negative twice so I don't have much confidence in the test yet he had many symptoms. Prascend trial worked. Vet is happy we carry on as we are and monitor by the symptoms.

 

[Bradsmum]

Thanks for that guys, I will give them a call on Monday and see what they have to say. Can't help thinking they are just seeing £ signs as the last test was £60 and that was me taking her to the surgery so no call out charge!

 

[Hurricanelady]

My ex brood mare went straight to chronic laminitis without any usual laminitis symptoms which took vet and farrier both by surprise (both had seen her during suspected foot bruising phase) she tested what Liphook said was negative during the Autumn seasonal fluctuation but it was only just under the cut off point. We tested her again after the fluctuation in December and she has now tested very definitely positive after the hormone stimulation test. I won't be having her tested every 6 weeks though initially which is mentioned in the Prascend instructions, vet said another test in Spring which I think is reasonable. I'll also be closely monitoring symptoms, this mare didn't have any except periodic weight loss but that was at weaning time which is to be expected. I'm also using the CushingsSustain herbal blend from Equinatural alongside the Prascend which I am hoping will help to keep the Prascend dose at 1 a day, but if not she will of course have what she needs.

Good luck