Cushings/EMS help please

[Jane_Lou]

One of my horses (15h 14 year old connemara) has been on loan to a friend for a number of years and recently suffered repeated mild bouts of laminitis despite very careful management of his diet. The vet was not initially convinced that it was laminitis and in the end referred him to UCD vet school. They were initially stumped as he presented with apparent muscle pain as well as minor pedal bone rotation. He was letharigc and reluctant to move. I must point out here that this boy is a bit of a major drama queen and the slightest little ouch will have him laying down preparing to die! He is always kept on the lean side, at the moment is is actually a little on the light side of lean as he has dropped weight through this latest episode.

They did bloods and also sent the EMS test to England as this apparently can't be done in Ireland. The bloods they tested showed very high insulin levels, the EMS test had degraded by the time it arrived in England and was not able to be conducted.

Based on the insulin levels he was placed on 1mg pergolide a day for 6 weeks and his blood re-tested. I don't have the full details of the bloods but his Insulin levels are still highly elevated and his Glucose level is now, to quote the vet, through the roof. The test was repeated incase it was a false positive and the same results were obtained.

My friends is investiagating whether if she takes him to the Irish equine centre in Naas if they can either do the EMS test or fast freeze the blood so that the sample has less chance of degrading in transport. We are waiting for the response from the vet school regarding the results

I am wondering if anyone else has experience of insulin and glucose levels increasing on pergolide or any other suggestions that can be made as it is awful to see this lovely boy so down and depressed.

Sorry this is so long........ and thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[showqa]

Mmm - I have a little old pony who is on pergolide which has actually lifted her depression. She is definitely suffering Cushings, although at 30 plus is much older than your fella. She too was extremely depressed which was sooo unlike her, but I must say her demeanour is normal again. That said, her feet are very up and down - in fact she has another abcess at the moment that we're battling with. Do hope you get it sorted as I know how dreadful it is to see your horse so lacking in vitality.

PS. Re: feet and laminitis - do you have him appropriately shod? He may need remedial shoeing - again, this helped my pony no end.