_HP_
Well-Known Member
Agnus Castus may be worth a google. It has been recommended to me for cushings/laminitis. I think it's Tanky that uses it and knows all about it.
Cushings
- Thread starter Puppy
- Start date
Puppy
Well-Known Member
Here's a couple of pics of Star taken this afternoon:
Puppy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Ok the sweating is actually another symptom of cushings.
It could be due to the heavy coat or could be due to the hormone imbalance, and the tumour in the pituitary gland pressing on the hypothalamus in the brain altering its ability to maintain homeostasis properly (really its unknown and prob is different for each horse!)
yes pergolide shoudl help this! as will clipping the heavy coat! although sweating may persist slightly if it is due to the tumour compressing part of the hypothalamus.... but only trying pergolide will allow you to know this. However it is a fabulous drug that has great results!
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you. So do you think that she would be likely to be more comfortable clipped and rugged up with a heavier weight rug on? Is that standard practice with cushing horses?
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Feet problems are really only laminitis with cushings. If she is already on a senior style diet, that is great and fine and dandy for a cushingoid horse! so long as she doesnt get buckets of sugar beet or high energy feet that she doesnt need to function then she should (in theory) be fine!
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Thanks. So you don't think that the haylage is something I am likely to need altering? It is quite rich stuff, but really is the key to keeping her weight up. She is on Spiller senior *conditioning* mix, but only 2kg per day. She doesn't like sugar beet very much, so I gave up feeding it to her some years ago.
[ QUOTE ]
Skin troubles caused by laminitis are: stretching due to muscle breakdown/weakening, also the hormone imbalance (increased cortisol) leads to dampened immune system so can lead to secondary/subsequent bacterial infections, whetehr these are systemic or focal is totally dependent on the bacteria and hrose really!
The dusty coat is likely just to be due to the long coat catching and retaining loose dust in the air which previously she would not have done with a shorter coat!
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you so much for answering my ramblings
All of you are being terrifically helpful
I am worrying a little for her
But as Be is having to go back to the vets in a few days, that seems enough stress for Star in one week, and so I don't think I can get the tests done before Christmas. I am going to discuss it with them though.
Ok the sweating is actually another symptom of cushings.
It could be due to the heavy coat or could be due to the hormone imbalance, and the tumour in the pituitary gland pressing on the hypothalamus in the brain altering its ability to maintain homeostasis properly (really its unknown and prob is different for each horse!)
yes pergolide shoudl help this! as will clipping the heavy coat! although sweating may persist slightly if it is due to the tumour compressing part of the hypothalamus.... but only trying pergolide will allow you to know this. However it is a fabulous drug that has great results!
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you. So do you think that she would be likely to be more comfortable clipped and rugged up with a heavier weight rug on? Is that standard practice with cushing horses?
[ QUOTE ]
Feet problems are really only laminitis with cushings. If she is already on a senior style diet, that is great and fine and dandy for a cushingoid horse! so long as she doesnt get buckets of sugar beet or high energy feet that she doesnt need to function then she should (in theory) be fine!
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks. So you don't think that the haylage is something I am likely to need altering? It is quite rich stuff, but really is the key to keeping her weight up. She is on Spiller senior *conditioning* mix, but only 2kg per day. She doesn't like sugar beet very much, so I gave up feeding it to her some years ago.
[ QUOTE ]
Skin troubles caused by laminitis are: stretching due to muscle breakdown/weakening, also the hormone imbalance (increased cortisol) leads to dampened immune system so can lead to secondary/subsequent bacterial infections, whetehr these are systemic or focal is totally dependent on the bacteria and hrose really!
The dusty coat is likely just to be due to the long coat catching and retaining loose dust in the air which previously she would not have done with a shorter coat!
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you so much for answering my ramblings
Puppy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I would recommend you look at TheMetabolicHorse site on yahoogroups.com .There is a tremendous depth of information on the site and you can post questions .
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the link
Sorry to hear about your old horse
xx
I would recommend you look at TheMetabolicHorse site on yahoogroups.com .There is a tremendous depth of information on the site and you can post questions .
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the link
Puppy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
OMG she is a big girly at 16.2
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Oh yes, lol! I only answered the advert for her as the magazine misprinted her height
but she has always looked after me; Star by name and nature
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Perhaps a chat to the Vet may help you decide the best course of action?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yep, I'm going to talk to them about it when I take Be in, in a few days!
[ QUOTE ]
I cannot wait to see pics of Star though
... and give her a hug from me and Motor
[/ QUOTE ]
Pics are up
Let me know what you think
OMG she is a big girly at 16.2
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh yes, lol! I only answered the advert for her as the magazine misprinted her height
[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps a chat to the Vet may help you decide the best course of action?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yep, I'm going to talk to them about it when I take Be in, in a few days!
[ QUOTE ]
I cannot wait to see pics of Star though
[/ QUOTE ]
Pics are up
Puppy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Agnus Castus may be worth a google. It has been recommended to me for cushings/laminitis. I think it's Tanky that uses it and knows all about it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks
I actually found something by the laminitis trust:
http://www.laminitis.org/Vitex%20trial.html
Shall make sure I ask the vet about it
Agnus Castus may be worth a google. It has been recommended to me for cushings/laminitis. I think it's Tanky that uses it and knows all about it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks
http://www.laminitis.org/Vitex%20trial.html
Shall make sure I ask the vet about it
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
Puppy, thank you so much for posting all the pictures of Star, she is absolutely gorgeous
. She certainly is a fluffy girlie now!
No problem about asking any questions, as I am happy to help in any way I can
. Sorry it is hard to capture any pictures of the fatty pads, however a cresty neck is a similar problem I believe. The fatty pads tend to show up in the summer and when he is clipped in winter and the only way to explain them is that they are similar to cellulite, but bigger patches
. Again the orbital dips disappearing are quite obvious as they normally get deeper hollows as they get older and they just are not there, when they have this issue. The use of Pergolide and controlling the Laminitis meant that they when back to normal, ie 'dips'
If you want to keep an eye on her body condition and ensure she does not harbour any underlying skin conditions, that may not be apparent without clipping, then as long as you are happy to rug her accordingly, then I would and do clip. As she is still being ridden, then I expect she will tend to get very hot and itchy, so there may be no choice anyway. See what the Vet says about her when you talk to them.
I hope your Vet is as good as the two partners I use at mine, as without them and my Farrier, then I would not have been able to pull Motor through the dreaded Laminitis and deal with any of the issues I had to endure at the onset .... I remember those days clearly and still recall the moment my Vet told me Motor had Cushings, and then went home that night, expecting to arrive at the stables the next day and Motor would become a curly haired long hair pony overnight
.... I will add some pics below of him 4 years ago in a minute
...........
Off to PB ....................
No problem about asking any questions, as I am happy to help in any way I can
If you want to keep an eye on her body condition and ensure she does not harbour any underlying skin conditions, that may not be apparent without clipping, then as long as you are happy to rug her accordingly, then I would and do clip. As she is still being ridden, then I expect she will tend to get very hot and itchy, so there may be no choice anyway. See what the Vet says about her when you talk to them.
I hope your Vet is as good as the two partners I use at mine, as without them and my Farrier, then I would not have been able to pull Motor through the dreaded Laminitis and deal with any of the issues I had to endure at the onset .... I remember those days clearly and still recall the moment my Vet told me Motor had Cushings, and then went home that night, expecting to arrive at the stables the next day and Motor would become a curly haired long hair pony overnight
Off to PB ....................
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
As promised ....
Motor 1st May 2006 ... 7 months after the Laminitis attack and his curly coat in full flow
.... looking dreadful, aged 24
A closer look
After his clip, looking better
And now age 28 ..... 11th October 2009 looking good and although getting fluffy, no curly coat, thanks to the Pergolide
and after his clip in November 2009, looking wonderful
Motor 1st May 2006 ... 7 months after the Laminitis attack and his curly coat in full flow
A closer look
After his clip, looking better
And now age 28 ..... 11th October 2009 looking good and although getting fluffy, no curly coat, thanks to the Pergolide
and after his clip in November 2009, looking wonderful
Puppy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If you want to keep an eye on her body condition and ensure she does not harbour any underlying skin conditions, that may not be apparent without clipping, then as long as you are happy to rug her accordingly, then I would and do clip. As she is still being ridden, then I expect she will tend to get very hot and itchy, so there may be no choice anyway. See what the Vet says about her when you talk to them.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks
But actually she isn't in work at the moment, we've turned her away for winter
So would it still be better to clip? As I say, she doesn't feel the cold too much, so I think rugging her up to be warm enough wouldn't be a problem....
If you want to keep an eye on her body condition and ensure she does not harbour any underlying skin conditions, that may not be apparent without clipping, then as long as you are happy to rug her accordingly, then I would and do clip. As she is still being ridden, then I expect she will tend to get very hot and itchy, so there may be no choice anyway. See what the Vet says about her when you talk to them.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks
Puppy
Well-Known Member
WOW! The transformation in those photos is amazing
It gives me lots of hope, thank you so much
xx
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks
But actually she isn't in work at the moment, we've turned her away for winter
So would it still be better to clip? As I say, she doesn't feel the cold too much, so I think rugging her up to be warm enough wouldn't be a problem....
[/ QUOTE ]
Well it is entirely up to you really
... as you know Star so well and will know if she is warm enough. I would clip Motor even if he was not being ridden, as he gets so scurfy and he is in at night anyway, and during the day has access to a lovely field shelter to himself
Thanks for the lovely words on Motor's transformation, I always think that those ones give people hope
Thanks
[/ QUOTE ]
Well it is entirely up to you really
Thanks for the lovely words on Motor's transformation, I always think that those ones give people hope
Puppy
Well-Known Member
OK, well for now I shall wait until the vet has been and we've talked things through
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
OK, well for now I shall wait until the vet has been and we've talked things through
[/ QUOTE ]
Please let us know how you get one and how you both are, once the Vet has seen her
OK, well for now I shall wait until the vet has been and we've talked things through
[/ QUOTE ]
Please let us know how you get one and how you both are, once the Vet has seen her
Puppy
Well-Known Member
Will do
Chestnutmare
Well-Known Member
well this thread is very interesting and your horses are looking good too by the way, but I have been thinking for a few months now that my little mare has onset of Cushings....her coat is massivly thick, she's stabled 24/7 atm due to injury that requires this...sadly, she is happy in herself and the things I am noticing is
her coat being v v thick and slightly curly by withers, necka and along her back.
she has a dipped back (23 - 24 in feb) so I put that down to her age and the fact shes been out of work for over 6mths due to her injury. - she has massive loss of muscle all over her now.
Her dips above eyes arent really hollow either..
She's rugged up in 2-3 stable rugs as she does feel cold badly even with this coat on...although she's malting big time her coat is just falling out by the handfull seems like spring has arrived early for her its that bad..is this a sign?
Her appetiate hasnt changed what so ever...she s a piglet for food and very happy in herself.
Do you think this sounds like she has cushings?? will be looking at getting her tested after xmas I think
thanks and sorry to interupt this thread...but am keen to know what others think?
Thanks
her coat being v v thick and slightly curly by withers, necka and along her back.
she has a dipped back (23 - 24 in feb) so I put that down to her age and the fact shes been out of work for over 6mths due to her injury. - she has massive loss of muscle all over her now.
Her dips above eyes arent really hollow either..
She's rugged up in 2-3 stable rugs as she does feel cold badly even with this coat on...although she's malting big time her coat is just falling out by the handfull seems like spring has arrived early for her its that bad..is this a sign?
Her appetiate hasnt changed what so ever...she s a piglet for food and very happy in herself.
Do you think this sounds like she has cushings?? will be looking at getting her tested after xmas I think
thanks and sorry to interupt this thread...but am keen to know what others think?
Thanks
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Just a little addition, the cavities above the eyes don't just vanish, they actually fill and become slightly convex. Very noticeable in your own horse.
Puppy it's hard to say but my impression from the pictures is that she has kept her muscle tone, has a slightly big tummy. The dipped back doesn't have anything to do with cushings as far as I remember. The two are often associated because the tummy gives the effect of the back looking worse.
I wouldn't say she is a definite case looking at those pics
Puppy it's hard to say but my impression from the pictures is that she has kept her muscle tone, has a slightly big tummy. The dipped back doesn't have anything to do with cushings as far as I remember. The two are often associated because the tummy gives the effect of the back looking worse.
I wouldn't say she is a definite case looking at those pics
Evadiva1514
Well-Known Member
My rising 21 year old was loosely diagnosed a couple of years ago following a rather major attack of Laminitis and other associated symptoms (fat pads over his eyes etc). We never bothered to have him tested as i wasn't happy with our vets adminstering him with steroids and with having owned another cushingoid pony previously we were fairly confident and happy dealing with his prognosis and day to day management. It took him a very long time to recover from his laminitis in which he suffered varying degrees of rotation in all four feet and actually foundered in his near fore, but once he began to turn the corner we looked for solutions to manage his symptoms.
Benji is a welsh x anglo arab and i have owned him for the past 11 years so knew full well that he always grew a decent coat in the winter, however following his laminitis attack he grew a denser coat and seemed to be rather depressed and dejected but that was understandable after all he had been through. We contacted Equi life regarding their cushings supplement ''Vitex 4 Equids'' and after reading all of their info and having used ''Hormonise'' on our other cushingoid pony which contains similar ingredients we decided to put him on it. He has now been on it for 2 years and also has a maintenance dose of Formula 4 Feet and looks absolutely superb. Maintenance wise, i clip him (even though he is retired), im very careful re turning him out (i.e No frosts), i try to maintain his weight and keep him slightly lighter than i would normally and basically try to allow him to live a normal happy life. Since using the Vitex 4 Equids, his demeanor has improved dramatically as has his energy levels, his coat looks healthier and the fat pads over his eyes have disappeared.
I think it's a very individual condition and you just have to tailor make your own management plan to suit you and your horse. We've never gone down the pergolide route with either of our horses as my vet isn't a big fan of it, but each to their own and what may work for some, may not work for others. If you're concerned about your mare i would defnitely give Equi life a call or try her on some Vitex 4 Equids before having her tested. It's given my boy a new lease of life. He's now sound and far more of a handful to deal with than either of my 4 year old warmbloods!!
Here's some very recent photos of my very special boy:
and heres a pic when he wasn't looking quite so good:
Benji is a welsh x anglo arab and i have owned him for the past 11 years so knew full well that he always grew a decent coat in the winter, however following his laminitis attack he grew a denser coat and seemed to be rather depressed and dejected but that was understandable after all he had been through. We contacted Equi life regarding their cushings supplement ''Vitex 4 Equids'' and after reading all of their info and having used ''Hormonise'' on our other cushingoid pony which contains similar ingredients we decided to put him on it. He has now been on it for 2 years and also has a maintenance dose of Formula 4 Feet and looks absolutely superb. Maintenance wise, i clip him (even though he is retired), im very careful re turning him out (i.e No frosts), i try to maintain his weight and keep him slightly lighter than i would normally and basically try to allow him to live a normal happy life. Since using the Vitex 4 Equids, his demeanor has improved dramatically as has his energy levels, his coat looks healthier and the fat pads over his eyes have disappeared.
I think it's a very individual condition and you just have to tailor make your own management plan to suit you and your horse. We've never gone down the pergolide route with either of our horses as my vet isn't a big fan of it, but each to their own and what may work for some, may not work for others. If you're concerned about your mare i would defnitely give Equi life a call or try her on some Vitex 4 Equids before having her tested. It's given my boy a new lease of life. He's now sound and far more of a handful to deal with than either of my 4 year old warmbloods!!
Here's some very recent photos of my very special boy:
and heres a pic when he wasn't looking quite so good:
Lucy_Nottingham
Well-Known Member
ok couple of answers (Im back! sorry!
)
Persephone - The dipped back is due to cushings as the high levels of cortisol in the horses system actually leads to muscle breakdown.
This results in the dipped back and enlarged belly appearance as the muscles are weakened and so the abdomen drops as a result.
Also, the dips above the eye is one sign, however they can then become convex as this is a common area for the fat deposition!
Your mare does have noticable fat deposts along the crest of her neck, the pot belly and dipped back and hirsutism and sweating!
Pergolide will help dramatically with the hirsutism and sweating (as I say, hopefully, depending ont hecause of sweating) and will help minimise the fat deposits! I am unsure how it will help the muscle wastage........
Id think that clipping and rugging would make her feel much more comfortable as you can control how insulated she is rather than her body taking over and overheating her! Some cushings owners though can be clipping their horses every 2 weeks or so!!! the hair does just grow and grow and grow!! (stupid hair!)
however I have to say your mare is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!1
on the vitex, chastetree berry, whatever you would like to call it (all the same thing!) some people love using it and dont use pergolide. However there is (as I said originally I think) no scientific evidence to prove it does anything, however I am not saying it doesnt help, not saying it does as good of a job as pergolide! However, it is ok to use both at once so what the harm hey?!!
Id have a chat with your vet then let us know!
Kezz, id say blood test to put your mind at ease!
Persephone - The dipped back is due to cushings as the high levels of cortisol in the horses system actually leads to muscle breakdown.
This results in the dipped back and enlarged belly appearance as the muscles are weakened and so the abdomen drops as a result.
Also, the dips above the eye is one sign, however they can then become convex as this is a common area for the fat deposition!
Your mare does have noticable fat deposts along the crest of her neck, the pot belly and dipped back and hirsutism and sweating!
Pergolide will help dramatically with the hirsutism and sweating (as I say, hopefully, depending ont hecause of sweating) and will help minimise the fat deposits! I am unsure how it will help the muscle wastage........
Id think that clipping and rugging would make her feel much more comfortable as you can control how insulated she is rather than her body taking over and overheating her! Some cushings owners though can be clipping their horses every 2 weeks or so!!! the hair does just grow and grow and grow!! (stupid hair!)
however I have to say your mare is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!1
on the vitex, chastetree berry, whatever you would like to call it (all the same thing!) some people love using it and dont use pergolide. However there is (as I said originally I think) no scientific evidence to prove it does anything, however I am not saying it doesnt help, not saying it does as good of a job as pergolide! However, it is ok to use both at once so what the harm hey?!!
Id have a chat with your vet then let us know!
Kezz, id say blood test to put your mind at ease!
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Ah, that makes sense about the dipped back. I had it back to front then lol.
I am 3 years out of date with Cushings thank goodness, but the Pergolide made no difference to my little mare. Maybe because she had occult cushings. The only symptom she showed was unfathomable laminitis.
Testing for Cushings was the last thing we did I'm afraid, but she was a 6 year old. and as I said no symptoms.
I am 3 years out of date with Cushings thank goodness, but the Pergolide made no difference to my little mare. Maybe because she had occult cushings. The only symptom she showed was unfathomable laminitis.
Testing for Cushings was the last thing we did I'm afraid, but she was a 6 year old. and as I said no symptoms.
Lucy_Nottingham
Well-Known Member
wow persephone thats very early for cushings! Sorry to hear that!
Laminitis sucks!!! cushings is so managable except for the lamintis which is just its own little dilema, however pergolide should (note should!) help prevent a horse getting further bouts of lamintiis, however if the horse is currently in a laminitic state, taking pergolide will very rarely sort out the problem!
Its a B*TCH of a problem in hroses and if anyone ever gets a 100% cure for sorting it they will make a mint!
Laminitis sucks!!! cushings is so managable except for the lamintis which is just its own little dilema, however pergolide should (note should!) help prevent a horse getting further bouts of lamintiis, however if the horse is currently in a laminitic state, taking pergolide will very rarely sort out the problem!
Its a B*TCH of a problem in hroses and if anyone ever gets a 100% cure for sorting it they will make a mint!
sueeltringham
Well-Known Member
My little mini Shetland has just been put on pergolide with suspected Cushings. She's been so poorly over the last month with 4 bouts of colic, severe muscle loss, a touch of laminitis, pot belly, long curly hairy coat (but not really keen on drinking?). I really though we'd lost her and was hoping to have her tested. However, she's gone downhill so fast we decided to try the pergolide anyway. Just over a week later, she seems to be picking up. I'm finding it all a really steep learning curve, so reading this thread has given me hope. Cheers,
Sue
Sue
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Yes it was a shocker. Nobody could quite believe it
Unfortunately I had to make the decision to PTS when she was 8. There was just no way of controlling the laminitis AND giving her a decent quality of life.
Unfortunately I had to make the decision to PTS when she was 8. There was just no way of controlling the laminitis AND giving her a decent quality of life.
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately I had to make the decision to PTS when she was 8. There was just no way of controlling the laminitis AND giving her a decent quality of life.
[/ QUOTE ]
That is so sad Persephone .... I have been to a couple of Vet's talks on The Metabolic Syndrome over the last couple of years and it appears that this is a problem that occurs from even a young age ..... seems to be the problem where uncontrollable Laminitis occurs
Unfortunately I had to make the decision to PTS when she was 8. There was just no way of controlling the laminitis AND giving her a decent quality of life.
[/ QUOTE ]
That is so sad Persephone .... I have been to a couple of Vet's talks on The Metabolic Syndrome over the last couple of years and it appears that this is a problem that occurs from even a young age ..... seems to be the problem where uncontrollable Laminitis occurs
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
well this thread is very interesting and your horses are looking good too by the way, but I have been thinking for a few months now that my little mare has onset of Cushings....her coat is massivly thick, she's stabled 24/7 atm due to injury that requires this...sadly, she is happy in herself and the things I am noticing is
her coat being v v thick and slightly curly by withers, necka and along her back.
she has a dipped back (23 - 24 in feb) so I put that down to her age and the fact shes been out of work for over 6mths due to her injury. - she has massive loss of muscle all over her now.
Her dips above eyes arent really hollow either..
She's rugged up in 2-3 stable rugs as she does feel cold badly even with this coat on...although she's malting big time her coat is just falling out by the handfull seems like spring has arrived early for her its that bad..is this a sign?
Her appetiate hasnt changed what so ever...she s a piglet for food and very happy in herself.
Do you think this sounds like she has cushings?? will be looking at getting her tested after xmas I think
thanks and sorry to interupt this thread...but am keen to know what others think?
Thanks
[/ QUOTE ]
Motor had a little patch of wavy hair on his withers appear in the August, prior to him going down with Cushings Induced Laminitus and also at the same time I noticed the dips above his eyes had disappeared ..... I now know these were the warning signs and I just did not see it ................
Please discuss with your Vet the best way of testing for Cushings, as the 'Dextrose' test has risks, which may bring on a bout of Laminitis, which is something you do not dare risk
Good luck and keep us posted, please.
well this thread is very interesting and your horses are looking good too by the way, but I have been thinking for a few months now that my little mare has onset of Cushings....her coat is massivly thick, she's stabled 24/7 atm due to injury that requires this...sadly, she is happy in herself and the things I am noticing is
her coat being v v thick and slightly curly by withers, necka and along her back.
she has a dipped back (23 - 24 in feb) so I put that down to her age and the fact shes been out of work for over 6mths due to her injury. - she has massive loss of muscle all over her now.
Her dips above eyes arent really hollow either..
She's rugged up in 2-3 stable rugs as she does feel cold badly even with this coat on...although she's malting big time her coat is just falling out by the handfull seems like spring has arrived early for her its that bad..is this a sign?
Her appetiate hasnt changed what so ever...she s a piglet for food and very happy in herself.
Do you think this sounds like she has cushings?? will be looking at getting her tested after xmas I think
thanks and sorry to interupt this thread...but am keen to know what others think?
Thanks
[/ QUOTE ]
Motor had a little patch of wavy hair on his withers appear in the August, prior to him going down with Cushings Induced Laminitus and also at the same time I noticed the dips above his eyes had disappeared ..... I now know these were the warning signs and I just did not see it ................
Please discuss with your Vet the best way of testing for Cushings, as the 'Dextrose' test has risks, which may bring on a bout of Laminitis, which is something you do not dare risk
Good luck and keep us posted, please.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Yes it was a great shame. That's the reason I very rarely open any "Cushings, pedal bone, laminitis" type posts tbh.
It is still extremely upsetting for me. I also don't really consider myself up to date enough to give any relevant advice any more.
Poor girl couldn't even cope with two hours grazing a day. I didn't think that was much of a life for her
It is still extremely upsetting for me. I also don't really consider myself up to date enough to give any relevant advice any more.
Poor girl couldn't even cope with two hours grazing a day. I didn't think that was much of a life for her
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
A friend's pony has just come down with completely unprovoked laminitis - one symptom I Googled was 'swollen sheath'. Up came Lucy_Nottingham's post quoting it as a symptom - and I just saw Motor's pic
showing a sheath very similar to this pony's. May I ask if it has always been like that or just since his Cushing's?
The pot-belly is the first thing I noticed with Puppy's mare... that and her quite determined to be there coat.
I really feel for everyone dealing with this insidious disease. Interestingly, my friend has another pony who is quite definitely Cushing's. A grey Welsh pony, well into her twenties, neck like a stallion, pot-belly, fat pads, ribs showing, coat like a polar-bear, you name it, this pony has it - EXCEPT LAMINITIS! She is a fussy feeder and I posted on here ages ago because she was literally starving to death and they couldn't get her to eat a thing. Highly interested in food, but then just nosed it out of the way. Tried everything and were about to PTS, then the vet suggested steroids as a last ditch attempt. Kill or cure - and they worked! And still no laminitis
but very
because the pony is a darling!
Every pony I see has Cushing's - I'm getting completely paranoid about it, even though it isn't affecting me directly right now.
Having experienced it, I am wired and on red alert for the blasted condition. The Cushing's coat is quite unlike a normal winter coat and I don't think I'll ever forget how dense Polly's was.
Sorry for the random post - it's getting close to her one year 'in memorium'
The pot-belly is the first thing I noticed with Puppy's mare... that and her quite determined to be there coat.
I really feel for everyone dealing with this insidious disease. Interestingly, my friend has another pony who is quite definitely Cushing's. A grey Welsh pony, well into her twenties, neck like a stallion, pot-belly, fat pads, ribs showing, coat like a polar-bear, you name it, this pony has it - EXCEPT LAMINITIS! She is a fussy feeder and I posted on here ages ago because she was literally starving to death and they couldn't get her to eat a thing. Highly interested in food, but then just nosed it out of the way. Tried everything and were about to PTS, then the vet suggested steroids as a last ditch attempt. Kill or cure - and they worked! And still no laminitis
Every pony I see has Cushing's - I'm getting completely paranoid about it, even though it isn't affecting me directly right now.
Having experienced it, I am wired and on red alert for the blasted condition. The Cushing's coat is quite unlike a normal winter coat and I don't think I'll ever forget how dense Polly's was.
Sorry for the random post - it's getting close to her one year 'in memorium'
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
It's shitty, isn't it
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
A friend's pony has just come down with completely unprovoked laminitis - one symptom I Googled was 'swollen sheath'. Up came Lucy_Nottingham's post quoting it as a symptom - and I just saw Motor's pic
showing a sheath very similar to this pony's. May I ask if it has always been like that or just since his Cushing's?
(
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh no Brightinsel / eyes
...... someone else commented on the size of Mot's Sheath and asked if it had always been as big
..... I said yes at the time, as it has always been very pronounced
.... however, I noticed on an old pic that even though it was still a good 'packet', it looked smalled
...... possibly due to the angle of the photo?? ..... or is it the damned Cushings
. I will try and add an older photo on this post, if I can find one ....................
Will be thinking of little Polly on the anniversary ......
<< hugs >>
ETS ..... Here we are 2nd May 2002, so over 3 years before being diagnosed with Cushings ... he was rising 22 here. His Sheath looks rather large here, also!
A friend's pony has just come down with completely unprovoked laminitis - one symptom I Googled was 'swollen sheath'. Up came Lucy_Nottingham's post quoting it as a symptom - and I just saw Motor's pic
(
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh no Brightinsel / eyes
Will be thinking of little Polly on the anniversary ......
ETS ..... Here we are 2nd May 2002, so over 3 years before being diagnosed with Cushings ... he was rising 22 here. His Sheath looks rather large here, also!
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
And this pony also has had a large sheath for some considerable while. I wonder if it is an early indicator?
I'm glad I'm out of it TBH, it wore me to a frazzle. I do hope I can be of some help to others, though - even if it's just the odd pointer and encouragement to go on.
I did wonder one thing - is the routine for a suspected laminitic always the same, regardless of the cause - you know what I mean - nsaids, ACP (in some cases) soaked hay, diet entirely devoid of sugars and carbs, strict box rest on deep shavings, etc?
Friend seems to think haylage and carrots are OK for the pony, albeit in lower quantities and seems a little reluctant to go into 'lockdown' and zero tolerance regarding sugars, whereas on Yahoo's 'met.horse', there are obsessed with the dietary aspect (and rightly so IMO).
Mots looks grand in that pic
I'm glad I'm out of it TBH, it wore me to a frazzle. I do hope I can be of some help to others, though - even if it's just the odd pointer and encouragement to go on.
I did wonder one thing - is the routine for a suspected laminitic always the same, regardless of the cause - you know what I mean - nsaids, ACP (in some cases) soaked hay, diet entirely devoid of sugars and carbs, strict box rest on deep shavings, etc?
Friend seems to think haylage and carrots are OK for the pony, albeit in lower quantities and seems a little reluctant to go into 'lockdown' and zero tolerance regarding sugars, whereas on Yahoo's 'met.horse', there are obsessed with the dietary aspect (and rightly so IMO).
Mots looks grand in that pic
kellyeaton
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Ah, that makes sense about the dipped back. I had it back to front then lol.
I am 3 years out of date with Cushings thank goodness, but the Pergolide made no difference to my little mare. Maybe because she had occult cushings. The only symptom she showed was unfathomable laminitis.
Testing for Cushings was the last thing we did I'm afraid, but she was a 6 year old. and as I said no symptoms.
[/ QUOTE ]Whats occult cushings? Is there different types of cushings/x
Ah, that makes sense about the dipped back. I had it back to front then lol.
I am 3 years out of date with Cushings thank goodness, but the Pergolide made no difference to my little mare. Maybe because she had occult cushings. The only symptom she showed was unfathomable laminitis.
Testing for Cushings was the last thing we did I'm afraid, but she was a 6 year old. and as I said no symptoms.
[/ QUOTE ]Whats occult cushings? Is there different types of cushings/x