Cushings: please help me

[Keira 8888]

Hi everyone,

Just got off the phone to my vet. Prince has cushings. I’m so so upset.

Does anyone have any personal experiences of this? I can’t believe it but finally it all makes sense. The warts on his nose, the unexplained hives.

I feel like I’ve got a concrete ball in my throat - and I’ve only owned him since June. I know it sounds so dramatic, but I am just broken.

 

[paddy555]

don't panic, mine had hives due to cushings all over his body. Once on medication they went. Cushings is not the end of the world, and not a death sentence. Once medicated they can successfully live it with it for years.
I presume the vet has put him on prascend a little pink pill? I presume it was diagnosed by an ACTH test ie blood draw that was sent to Liphook? if so they will have given the result a number. What number was it?

Once you get onto the pink pill you will find you can buy it much more cheaply over the internet by getting a prescription from your vet. (even taking into the prescription charge)
Once you start giving it phase it in very slowly (vets won't say this they just say to give normally one a day) It takes time for a horse to adjust to prascend. I (and many) start on a quarter tablet a day and work up to 1 tablet over around 3 weeks. (pill cutter available from chemists to save you handling it)

Lots and lots of info available on cushings. Don't worry. Has the vet given you any other advice?

 

[Quigleyandme]

So sorry Keira. I’ve no experience/advice but just wanted to say sorry.

 

[ycbm]

Keira a huge, huge number of horses live perfectly good long lives with Cushings. Too early to be desperately worried yet.
.

 

[paddi22]

I had a similar shock when one of mine got diagnosed this year. but it's just a hormonal balance disorder and the medication is very successful. So don't panic, it'll be fine. the most upsetting thing is the cost of the medication lol! I just tweaked diet and my lad is like a new horse. plenty of horses have and still give years of pleasure to their owners.

 

[Keira 8888]

don't panic, mine had hives due to cushings all over his body. Once on medication they went. Cushings is not the end of the world, and not a death sentence. Once medicated they can successfully live it with it for years.
I presume the vet has put him on prascend a little pink pill? I presume it was diagnosed by an ACTH test ie blood draw that was sent to Liphook? if so they will have given the result a number. What number was it?

Once you get onto the pink pill you will find you can buy it much more cheaply over the internet by getting a prescription from your vet. (even taking into the prescription charge)
Once you start giving it phase it in very slowly (vets won't say this they just say to give normally one a day) It takes time for a horse to adjust to prascend. I (and many) start on a quarter tablet a day and work up to 1 tablet over around 3 weeks. (pill cutter available from chemists to save you handling it)

Lots and lots of info available on cushings. Don't worry. Has the vet given you any other advice?

Thank you so much. Yes, they want him on prascend. They didn’t mention a number though - thanks so much for telling me that. I will phone back and ask right now. I will buy a pill cutter. Thanks so much for your advice. I’ve stupidly got myself into a complete state about it when really I should be relieved that I’ve found the thing that has been at the root of so many issues. The vet said it will cost roughly £45 a month to treat. I’m insured so they will cover it for the first year. I would eat beans on toast for the rest of my life to make ends meet but non horsey husband is constantly at me for how much I have spent on Prince so far. I wonder what the monthly cost would be if I buy it myself and just get a prescription from the bet - Paddy - this could be the thing that saves us! Thanks so much for suggesting this x

 

[paddi22]

there is a really good Facebook group on cushings. they have tons of files with all the info on diet/management and also where to buy the medication online for the cheapest price. you might find it actually makes your life easier now he's diagnosed. my horse was constantly sick with so many issues, and it was due to his dodgy immune system. the medication has helped him so much.

 

[Keira 8888]

I had a similar shock when one of mine got diagnosed this year. but it's just a hormonal balance disorder and the medication is very successful. So don't panic, it'll be fine. the most upsetting thing is the cost of the medication lol! I just tweaked diet and my lad is like a new horse. plenty of horses have and still give years of pleasure to their owners.

God that’s so good to hear. Thank you ?

 

[Keira 8888]

there is a really good Facebook group on cushings. they have tons of files with all the info on diet/management and also where to buy the medication online for the cheapest price. you might find it actually makes your life easier now he's diagnosed. my horse was constantly sick with so many issues, and it was due to his dodgy immune system. the medication has helped him so much.

This is like music to my ears!!! Thank you!!!

 

[paddi22]

Equine Cushings (PPID) is the name of the group. they have a 'files' section on the Facebook page and you can find any info. the most important thing is to tweak diet to be low sugar/starch. there is an excel sheet in the files that will list all the feeds in the url. its really useful.

 

[paddy555]

https://www.animeddirect.co.uk/prascend-1mg-tablets-for-horses

animed are charging £1.06 ATM. If you shop around google you may get it a couple of pence a tablet cheaper. You get a prescription from the vet (ours charges £15 and gives it for one month and 6 repeats) yours will depend on how your vet operates. Get the prescription sent by E mail, save it and then register on animed, there will be a space to enter Prince's details and to link the prescription. Then just go on monthly and order what you need.

STAY CALM. all will be fine.

 

[paddy555]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/12994389809/?multi_permalinks=10159033654669810

there is tons of material and info in the files on that group. It will keep you busy all evening!

 

[doodle]

I also know quite a few horses with cushings and on prasend and they are all fine. It really isn’t a big deal. (Although I understand why you are worried and I would be too) Maybe take a little juggling to find the correct dose but it is not a death sentence and he will be healthier on the meds.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Oh Keira, what a shock for you. Don't panic firstly. everyone has given great advice already. I read that one in five horses will suffer from it at some point in their lives. I have a 30yr old that likely has it due to his age and whilst we have no conclusive signs (laminitis has been the only thing and a loss of topline as hes aged), as a precaution, we have him on Dodson & Horrell cushcare and also add in additional Agnus Castus and he does brilliantly on these feeds.

He will be ok, its just about managing it and now its been diagnosed and starts his meds, it will be really interesting to see if you see any positive changes in him (he will feel better im sure).

Sending you a virtual hug. x

 

[JackFrost]

Keira DO NOT DESPAIR!!! Most horses eventually settle well on prascend and I have heard so many people say their horses seems 10 years younger once it goes on it. And I have met many 30+ horses still going strong on it.
As others say above, it is now thought to be quite a common condition, though often undiagnosed. How old is Prince?
There is lots on the internet about it. Watch out and be prepared for what is called the veil once he goes on it - some horses can become lethargic and depressed while thier system adapts. May not happen to yours, but good to be prepared.
In general the prascend dose might need to increase over time. Once he is on it you will be able to watch how his ACTH levels respond and the vet will help you adjust the dose accordingly.
Oh, and just to mention that some horses do not like eating the pink pill. If he is one of the fussy ones, you may need to get quite sneaky!
Keep calm and canter on!

 

[Keira 8888]

I had a similar shock when one of mine got diagnosed this year. but it's just a hormonal balance disorder and the medication is very successful. So don't panic, it'll be fine. the most upsetting thing is the cost of the medication lol! I just tweaked diet and my lad is like a new horse. plenty of horses have and still give years of pleasure to their owners.

Thanks so much for your reply. What tweaks did you make to his diet? So glad your boy is doing well ?

 

[Keira 8888]

Keira DO NOT DESPAIR!!! Most horses eventually settle well on prascend and I have heard so many people say their horses seems 10 years younger once it goes on it. And I have met many 30+ horses still going strong on it.
As others say above, it is now thought to be quite a common condition, though often undiagnosed. How old is Prince?
There is lots on the internet about it. Watch out and be prepared for what is called the veil once he goes on it - some horses can become lethargic and depressed while thier system adapts. May not happen to yours, but good to be prepared.
In general the prascend dose might need to increase over time. Once he is on it you will be able to watch how his ACTH levels respond and the vet will help you adjust the dose accordingly.
Oh, and just to mention that some horses do not like eating the pink pill. If he is one of the fussy ones, you may need to get quite sneaky!
Keep calm and canter on!

Thank you so much for this!!!!! This has made me feel a lot lot better. I heard the bad news and rushed straight to this forum. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I was looking for a boost and feel brighter now. I will now immerse myself in cushings research! In fact, it’s actually pretty exciting that this little pink pill could make him feel better! Just been to visit him to tell him the news and he took it very well! Rested his silly old head on my shoulder as I cried into his fur!!!!

 

[Laurac13]

Hi Kiera

my mini rescue Shetland was diagnosed with Cushings a few years ago he’s about 28 now and bright as a button he has half a tablet a day and is absolutely fine so please don’t worry too much x
The hardest thing is getting them to eat the tablet ? I can share tips !
Prince will be fine and the pracend will control the Cushings x

 

[splashgirl45]

my mare was diagnosed at 20 and being on prascend changed her back to her normal looney self. many horses levels stay the same and their medication never has to go up, mine was one of the unlucky ones whose levels rose every year so i lost her at 25....and at the end she was on 4 prascend a day so pretty pricey but she had a good quality of life right to the end, never restricted on her grazing and i just kept her a balancer plus chaff and added fast fibre in the winter to help to keep her weight ok....i was very upset when she was diagnosed but you will soon get the hang on how to manage him. good luck

by the way, mine wouldnt eat the tablets in her food but would if i cut a hole in a carrot, so she was allowed 1 carrot a day...

 

[JackFrost]

Keira - I don't think you said above(sorry if I missed it) how old is he? The experts are thinking now that even some younger horses may have it without owners realising, and that most may develop it to a degree as they get older.
Take up Laura13's kind offer on tips to get them to eat it! Hope Prince is a greedy guts and won't notice the new addition to his diet.

 

[Surbie]

We have one at our RDA who has been on Prascend for a good number of years - and is still on one a day. He is 24 and enjoying his work, though this year has been more like a very long holiday for him!

He won't eat it in a carrot or piece of apple now (he used to, but got wise to it), but is now on a variety of tempting chaff/nuts & veteran vitality, and if we put it right in the middle of the bowl, it's usually guaranteed he will scoff it in the first mouthful.

 

[meleeka]

I think this is fairly good news. It means you can treat it and he’ll probably improve. Mines been on Prascend for years (6?) and if you didn’t know you wouldn’t think she was 27 with Cushings. Those little tablets have given her a new lease of life (I thought she was just getting old) and it’s only about as expensive as a joint supplement.

 

[EllenJay]

My old boy was diagnosed 10 years ago and was on prascend. I started with 1/2 pill every other day. The dosage did increase over the years to 2.5 pills a day. It did get expensive at that dosage, but when first diagnosed 1/2 pill a day was great for about 5 years.

 

[Pedantic]

My 26 year old was diagnosed this year, yes cost of £45 a month for prascend is a pain, he is doing ok on it.

 

[shortstuff99]

My old mare had successfully managed cushings for around 10 years. She still competed unaffiliated and had lots of fun. You just have to be careful with diet and management (particularly cuts etc). It did unfortunately cause her death in the end but we still had 10 more wonderful years.

 

[brighteyes]

Hi everyone,

Just got off the phone to my vet. Prince has cushings. I’m so so upset.

Does anyone have any personal experiences of this? I can’t believe it but finally it all makes sense. The warts on his nose, the unexplained hives.

I feel like I’ve got a concrete ball in my throat - and I’ve only owned him since June. I know it sounds so dramatic, but I am just broken.

Brilliant Facebook groups on Equine Cushings. How old is he? I have two with it and both are doing great. The secret is pay attention to diet, feet, coat, worming, vaccination and teeth and DO NOT let them get overweight.

 

[Gloi]

Once you get the level of medication right they can do really well. Mine had several good years after he was diagnosed until he was PTS at 30 for an unrelated reason.

 

[Dreamer2020]

Just wanted to send you a big virtual hug Keira. I don't have any experience to share but glad to see so many on here have & have shared great advice xx

 

[Winters100]

So sorry, it must be a big shock. But chin up - at least now you can make a plan. I don't have any experience of managing horses with cushings, but there is a horse on our yard with this. He is 28 years old and still regularly hacking with his owner, he looks fine and happy, so don't despair! Hugs x

 

[Keira 8888]

Thanks so much everyone for your great replies - I really appreciate it. Feel much more optimistic thus morning. Just given him his final gastro guard syringe this morning and am off to the chemist to get a pill cutter. Thought I would introduce the prascend slowly so his body can get used to it. Onwards and upwards! Thank you all for being a fab support team! Xxx