Cushings in older horses

OdinsMum

OdinsMum

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Hi all,
It’s a sad situation and I don’t know where to start so I suppose I better just drive right in.

I feed one of the horses on our yard in the morning, the owner is currently away on holiday and her daughter is looking after him. He has cushings but it’s got a lot worse since his owner has been away, he struggles to walk to his feed bucket a few feet away..

I’m not sure what to do, clearly this horse is suffering, the daughter said the vet has been out but nothing has come of it

Any help would be much appreciated
 
Cushings can cause a variety of symptoms which if diagnosed and treated appropriately should enable a horse to lead a comfortable life, if however the symptoms are not treated, which I am surprised a vet has not done, then the symptoms may get rapidly worse and the horse will suffer, struggling to move is not acceptable, if he is not under proper veterinary care the YO needs to step in and deal with the matter, if the YO is not up to it then contact the BHS welfare or WHW first thing on Monday.

I am a YO and would not allow things to get to this stage without getting a vet involved, I have authority to act on behalf of all my liveries so if an owner was away I can get their vet and if required arrange pts in exceptional circumstances, this sounds as if it is an emergency vet call out, not something to ignore for any longer.
 
He could be having a laminitis attack or it could be something like organ failure. Whichever way, as BP says he needs to see a vet. The daughter's story sounds unlikely. What does the yard owner say? Speak to them in the first instance.
 
A horse struggling to walk and clearly suffering needs the vet. If this was my horse he wouldn't be waiting until Monday; I would rather have a vet bill because someone was worried than hear my horse was suffering and the vet wasn't called - especially a PPID horse.
 
Struggling in what way? My Cushings mare was pts because she became ataxic and kept tripping. Other reasons could be laminitis, or severe arthritis. Either way, that sounds as if an emergency vet call is needed. All you can do, imo, is speak to YO, or maybe ask the daughter for the mother's emergency contact details and discuss it with her.
 
Is it possible that horse is not getting its medication due to owner being away? That could have triggered a laminitis attack. If things have progressed to the stage where horse is struggling to walk then a vet is required urgently.
 
As above - is the horse not getting his meds? Is he even on Meds?
You need to get their vet out ASAP because as a yard owner you could be held partly responsible if a horse that's under your supervision is suffering and nothing being done about it
 
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