Cushings

[Bananarama]

I prevoisly posted about my pony who could be showing signs of cushings. He has a slight curl to his coat coming down his spine, and on his side. I have pictures of that. The dips above his eyelids are still present but he may be drinking more than usual. Last year he started to lose his winter coat in Febuary but nothings is coming out as of yet. He is dropping food when he chews it, although I think that is probaly unrelated and will have to get it checked out. I dont want to get the cushings test done as I have been told this can cause laminitas, and would rather be more sure before I take that type of a risk. Well what do you reckon?

And this one isnt very clear, but is from above.

 

[Bossanova]

The cushings test just involves a blood test, surely?!!

Cushings can cause laminits..... The coat looks poor and could be Cushings. The dropping food sounds like a tooth issue.

 

[Bananarama]

I dont know, thats what I thought... but someone said something about that when I posted before

Yes the tooth problem is unrelated, just wasnt sure if it could be a syptom. The reason I query is becaus it is only in a small area and not the whole coat.

 

[Bananarama]

and just found out it causes shedding of the skin, he has terrible dandruff all down his legs and under his coat and tail. He often gets this due to his sweet-itch but it has seemed alot worse this winter.

 

[Happytohack]

I replied to your previous post - I have a pony who was diagnosed with Cushings over two years ago. The best test for Cushings is the DEX test. This involves the vet coming out late afternoon, taking a blood sample and injecting a steroid. The vet then comes out approx midday the next day and takes another blood sample. Unfortunately, the test can cause a sensitive horse/pony to actually get laminitis. This happened in the case of my shetland pony. Most people have their horse/pony tested for Cushings if they have recurring bouts of unexplained laminitis as well as other symptoms. I can't understand why you are so desperate to test for Cushings when your pony has not had lamintiis and doesn't really show other symptoms. If I were you, I would have a long chat with my vet before having any expensive testing done.

 

[Eaglestone]

His curly coat looks like my old boys used to look like, but the treatment of Pergolide has been his saviour .... together with my dedication, the Vet and the Farrier ..... he never had a 'cushings test' as this is something like a 'dextrose test' (shoot me down if I am wrong!) and that can trigger Laminitis and as he was already suffering from it then 'no way' was I going to have that done!!!

His symptoms were, Laminitis in October, Age (24 at the time), the 'dips' above the eyes disappearing ... My Vet who knew Motor for many years, diagnosed Cushings on these these Clinical Symptoms alone, and was not wrong.

He is the chappie in my siggie in the first 4 pictures ... the one grazing, was last year during his 'controlled' time out at grass and the 2nd one was 2006 and just look how well he looked and is still doing really well. He is out 10 hours a day at the moment in his own 'paddockette' and then has his time out at grass

...he is such a happy lad, so I know he is ok with this ... and the added bonus is that I can ride him now, when just over 2 years ago I thought he was gone

PM me if you want

Well here are some piccies .....

In May 2006 after 7 months on Pergolide, but his curly coat had already 'taken hold' .... you can see that he still had his winter coat, however there were some loose hairs

In August 2007 looking really well

He has no signs of a curly coat now and apart from changing shape he looks as is doing really well

I hope it is not Cushings, however the treatment they can offer it a miracle

PS His curly tail is HIM

 

[Bananarama]

Im not desperate to get him tested, just worried about what I should do. I have just spoken to a vet, who thinks its nothing and just to leave it for now, and I agree if thats whats best for the pony. I just dont know much about it.

 

[brighteyes]

Cushing's ponies are very prone to mouth ulcers. Bet that's what going on with yours...........

Get the dentist out as their teeth need to be kept extra well.