Cushings???

[PitPony]

i have looked up about equine cushings and some of the previous posts on here but just wondered if the symptoms can be very subtle and not include laminitis?
My 23 yr old tb has already got a winter coat, is very quiet and seems to be tottery on her legs more than i have noticed before. She drinks a large 'tub' of water a night and is happy to come in early from the field. She had a dose of coic two weeks ago on a Sunday...not even showing all the symptoms of that mind you...and the vet thought she took a while to come back to us...she was hyperventilating and very spaced out. She has never colicked wiht me in the 15 years I have had her either...
I know I am probably being paranoid but just wondered if the above struck a chord with anyone...I think I shall get her blood tested anyway but thought it worth asking as so many people on here with such a variety of experience.
Maybe it is just old age and I should accept that but you know when you just know your horse is not quite right and it niggles at you but it sounds stupid if you say it to anyone???!!!

 

[Dancing Queen]

I would get the vet to check - It does sound as if she could have Cushings, and the tottering on her legs could be the start of laminitis.
Good Luck x

 

[ruth83]

Fully possible.

Good to hear that you are getting her tested.
Other signs to look for include the hollows abover her eyes becoming shallower or even bulging outwards, excessive urinating (which goes with the excessive drinking) and runny eyes.

If she tests positive it could be worth asking your vet about herbal treatments to begin with before starting on pergolide/prescend. If she is mild and not showing lammi symptoms this may be enough to keep the symptoms mild and keep your bills down. You can then explore the prescription drugs if she needs them. I had great results with a cushings pony and agnus castus from Holland and Barrett.

 

[PitPony]

She is on bute - every other day - and I did notice a bit of clear/white nasal discharge yesterday...
Not noticed any chnage in her waterworks...or runny eyes...but shall take more notice over next couple of days before I get her tested...
I see agnus castus seems to be used...will read up on that now too!
Thanks for the help and advice...and for not saying I am being a drama queen...I just dont have any experience of Cushings apart from seeing a wooly pony with it...which doesnt really give me any idea in this...it is just what came to me today when i brought my mare in...

 

[splashgirl45]

i felt the same with my mare, she didnt lose her winter coat from last year and wasnt quite herself but i couldnt say exactly what was wrong. i think when youve had them for a while you know when something is wrong so i called the vet and asked them to blood test for cushings and she was positive so i am pleased i took notice. she is on prascend ( i didnt know about agnus vitus at the time) and now seems back to being my normal horse.... good luck with yours.....

 

[PopStrop]

I have just started my 14yo TB on pergolide/prascend after a culmination of symptoms all pointing at cushings.

He's always had a very long & thick winter coat but failed to lose it properly this year and is still hanging onto thick coat in places now.
A few weeks ago his supraorbital fossae filled and bulged right out, he developed a hard crest and fat pads in the space of a week, runny eyes, and he became more and more depressed and got increasingly footsore.
All of this happened in line with seasonal rise in ACTH levels (cushings symptoms worsen Aug-Nov when there is a natural rise in hormone level in all horses).
We (myself & vet) decided to forgo testing for various reasons, but after just over a week on prascend he is pretty much back to his normal cheeky character - he was VERY depressed - but it is too soon to judge effectiveness on other symptoms, depending on how we go over the next couple of weeks we may still test insulin levels.

Early cushings cases may come back negative on ACTH tests, you can test insulin:glucose ratio also to check for insulin resistance which may be influenced by ACTH levels. Some vets may say they don't like to test ACTH levels at this time of year because of seasonal rise, Liphook prefer to test now as this is when the greatest difference in hormone levels is seen between cushings and non-cushings horses.

Have a look at http://www.talkaboutcushings.co.uk/ for info and £15 off cushings tests vouchers.
Also highly recommend joining http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheMetabolicHorse/ where there is a wealth of information, advice and support to be found about cushings, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i would suggest blood testing for cushions.... money off voucher available from manufacturer of prascend on web link in above post. as you are already on bute then this will be masking lami symptoms. i have 2 oldies on prascend and the general improvement is amazing, still have to watch their diet and they are on high fibre and minimum sugar as can be.

 

[ATrueClassAct]

Defiantly, defiantly. My mare only had a teeenyyyyy bout of lammy in November and original vet didn't think anything of cushings. New vet came out and asked to test her since she was abit fluffy but still very happy in herself.
In May

Now( looks even better since then, this is August though)

Back to natural colour

It's really worth knowing either way. It can help you prepare for the worst.