GlamourDol
Well-Known Member
DOes anyone have any info on it?
How much does it affect them, and the work they do?
x
How much does it affect them, and the work they do?
x
Cushings.....
- Thread starter GlamourDol
- Start date
Dutch
Well-Known Member
Hi!
How are you?
To be honest I can't remember exactly what causes it but I think it is a hormonal disease. It definitely makes their coat become curly and thick, although this can be clipped off allowing them to work as normal.
Di
How are you?
To be honest I can't remember exactly what causes it but I think it is a hormonal disease. It definitely makes their coat become curly and thick, although this can be clipped off allowing them to work as normal.
Di
GlamourDol
Well-Known Member
DIIIIIIIIII!
How r u? havent seen u for ages, r u still in holand?
xx
How r u? havent seen u for ages, r u still in holand?
xx
Kristine
Well-Known Member
My friends pony has cushings.
He's 22 in april. Is on 15 tablets a day and doesn't seem to be bothered providing he has his tablets.
His fur is always wooly (he doesn't moult majorly)not curly yet but he it wont be long. And he can't jump higher than 3ft AT THE MAX. He also can't carry more than 9 st.
He's 22 in april. Is on 15 tablets a day and doesn't seem to be bothered providing he has his tablets.
His fur is always wooly (he doesn't moult majorly)not curly yet but he it wont be long. And he can't jump higher than 3ft AT THE MAX. He also can't carry more than 9 st.
merlinsquest
Well-Known Member
Hi..
Its caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland.... causes thick sometimes curly coat which does not shed well.. thirst.. increased hoof growth.. but the worse thing is often the laminitis associated with cushings sufferers :-(
Not confined to, but more often seen in older horses.
Pergolide seems to be a popular treatment, but obviously needs to be seen by vet to get it... once you get it though, its far cheaper to get through a normal pharmacy than through the vet....far far cheaper!!
Its caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland.... causes thick sometimes curly coat which does not shed well.. thirst.. increased hoof growth.. but the worse thing is often the laminitis associated with cushings sufferers :-(
Not confined to, but more often seen in older horses.
Pergolide seems to be a popular treatment, but obviously needs to be seen by vet to get it... once you get it though, its far cheaper to get through a normal pharmacy than through the vet....far far cheaper!!
Kristine
Well-Known Member
is Pergolide tablets??
merlinsquest
Well-Known Member
Yes,
We were talking about them at the yard the other day trying to work out what they were used for in humans.... think it might be thyroid or diabetes!!
We were talking about them at the yard the other day trying to work out what they were used for in humans.... think it might be thyroid or diabetes!!
Kristine
Well-Known Member
tyroids
My mums on them (or similar)
My mums on them (or similar)
Thistle
Well-Known Member
have a look here www.laminitis.org there is info on cushings too.
alisonpook
Well-Known Member
Hi - Believe Pergolide was originally developed for use in humans to treat Parkinsons. However an American vet in the early 90's discovered that a low dose of pergolide could help Cushings horses by helping to simulate the effect of dopamine - a chemical in the brain that tends to be in reduced supply in Cushings horse because of the benign tumour. The drug helps to control the laminitic attacks to which Cushings horses are prone and can with other management measures help sustain the length and quality of life for a good number of years. The cost of drug treatment is no longer so prohibitive as it was 2 or 3 years ago and has dropped remarkably in recent times . Hopefully this cheaper cost will encourage people to give it a try. As an example I now collect a free prescription each month from my vet and take it along to the local chemist and collect x30 1mg tablets for just under £9. The same tablets from the vet would be nearer £30. Back in 2004 I was paying £90 a month for the same dose. Please be aware that the tablets come in different strengths so please check the strength when comparing prices and obviously the dose will vary from case to case. If anyone is struggling to find a chemist my local chemist is quite happy to supply through the post . Please feel free to PM me if you would like their details either now or in the future.
Thunder
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Yes,
We were talking about them at the yard the other day trying to work out what they were used for in humans.... think it might be thyroid or diabetes!!
[/ QUOTE ]
You'll probably find it's for cushings - humans get it too
Signs of cushings are as follows...
Curly coat
Lack of moulting
Excessive thirst
Excessive urinating
Depression
Change in body shape (it 'sags')
Fluid retention in orbital hollows (the dips above the eyes - though this often happens with any hoof related problems)
Laminitus
Uneven hoof growth - one may grow faster than the other
A blood test, followed by a steriod injection and a further blood test can give you the result. I had my mare tested for it after stress related laminitus - I've never been so happy to be covered in tons of her black hair as she moults!
Yes,
We were talking about them at the yard the other day trying to work out what they were used for in humans.... think it might be thyroid or diabetes!!
[/ QUOTE ]
You'll probably find it's for cushings - humans get it too
Signs of cushings are as follows...
Curly coat
Lack of moulting
Excessive thirst
Excessive urinating
Depression
Change in body shape (it 'sags')
Fluid retention in orbital hollows (the dips above the eyes - though this often happens with any hoof related problems)
Laminitus
Uneven hoof growth - one may grow faster than the other
A blood test, followed by a steriod injection and a further blood test can give you the result. I had my mare tested for it after stress related laminitus - I've never been so happy to be covered in tons of her black hair as she moults!
squirtlysmum
Well-Known Member
Humans , neddies and dogs can get cushings, it is basically, as merlinsquest has said, caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland which is situated in the centre of the brain and cannot be operated on however pergolide helps with the symptoms.
My lovely girl had Cushings and would constantly grow a very furry coat but hers was not curly and I would just clip her when needed, she had excessive thirst and would , as a result, pee for England, she looked very pot bellied and bless her heart eventually just couldn't fight infection, a small cut would take months to heal.
The pituitary also governs the immune system, I was able to manage her cushings for a couple of years but then she had a massive infection in her sinuses in her head and had a huge abcess in one of eye orbits and pus dripping out of her nose, antibiotics wouldn't touch it and surgery wasn't an option so I made the hardest decision of my life.
One of my fellow liveries horses has Cushings and she is 26 and still going strong so I believe it is down to the individual horse as to how well they do, but once they have cushings it won't go away.
My lovely girl had Cushings and would constantly grow a very furry coat but hers was not curly and I would just clip her when needed, she had excessive thirst and would , as a result, pee for England, she looked very pot bellied and bless her heart eventually just couldn't fight infection, a small cut would take months to heal.
The pituitary also governs the immune system, I was able to manage her cushings for a couple of years but then she had a massive infection in her sinuses in her head and had a huge abcess in one of eye orbits and pus dripping out of her nose, antibiotics wouldn't touch it and surgery wasn't an option so I made the hardest decision of my life.
One of my fellow liveries horses has Cushings and she is 26 and still going strong so I believe it is down to the individual horse as to how well they do, but once they have cushings it won't go away.
TGM
Well-Known Member
I've had a horse with Cushings. Not all of them get the typical thick curly coat - our boy didn't, although he did have trouble shedding his coat in the spring. The vet didn't think he had Cushings because he didn't have the typical coat, but I requested he was tested anyway because he had other signs (laminitic changes despite strict feed regime, fat pads over eyes etc), and of course he turned out to be positive.
We put him on Pergolide but unfortunately had to be PTS for other reasons before we had a chance to assess whether it was working. However, the research I did at the time seemed to indicate that a lot of people find Pergolide to be a very effective treatment.
We put him on Pergolide but unfortunately had to be PTS for other reasons before we had a chance to assess whether it was working. However, the research I did at the time seemed to indicate that a lot of people find Pergolide to be a very effective treatment.
Kristine
Well-Known Member
This is Tim, He has has cushings for 7 years now and still doesn't have a curly coat although certain area's are starting to wave......
He's lunged alot more than riden as doesn't like to much weight.
He's always cheerfull and ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. Wether he's dragging us in from the feild or trying to get in the feed room. He's the only pony I have ever known to have cushings but he certainly does not have depression!
I don't own this pony he is my friends.
He's lunged alot more than riden as doesn't like to much weight.
He's always cheerfull and ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. Wether he's dragging us in from the feild or trying to get in the feed room. He's the only pony I have ever known to have cushings but he certainly does not have depression!
I don't own this pony he is my friends.
LusoLover
Well-Known Member
Tim looks really well! 7 years with Cushings is amazing.
My boy, Murphy had it for 3 years until I had to make the decision due to a horrific ulcer / infection in his eye. The week before though, I had galloped him across the field with him bucking away, full of the joys of Spring.
I think I read somewhere that 75% of older horses have Cushings to some degree or another and it can often go unnoticed. A horse with it won't necessarily have all the classic symptoms associated with Cushings. For example, Murphy never had a curly coat, although I had to clip him every 3 months. He wasn't thirsty either. He was mainly affected with Laminitis during the Winter months and his lack of immune system meant he was plagued with foot abscesses and wounds took longer to heal.
He did require a lot of additional care and it was certainly an emotional roller coaster, particularly with the Laminitis, but I was still able to ride him and have fun with him and it was worth every bit.
My boy, Murphy had it for 3 years until I had to make the decision due to a horrific ulcer / infection in his eye. The week before though, I had galloped him across the field with him bucking away, full of the joys of Spring.
I think I read somewhere that 75% of older horses have Cushings to some degree or another and it can often go unnoticed. A horse with it won't necessarily have all the classic symptoms associated with Cushings. For example, Murphy never had a curly coat, although I had to clip him every 3 months. He wasn't thirsty either. He was mainly affected with Laminitis during the Winter months and his lack of immune system meant he was plagued with foot abscesses and wounds took longer to heal.
He did require a lot of additional care and it was certainly an emotional roller coaster, particularly with the Laminitis, but I was still able to ride him and have fun with him and it was worth every bit.
sundance
Well-Known Member
My old horse had cushings for years, he was 40 when he died. He was on pergalide for about the last 2 or 3 years, it is amazing stuff. I could cut him down to 1/2 a tablet a day at certain times of the year, daylight makes a difference. There is a herbal product, chasteberry, that I used to give him as well. He didnt have a curly coat, but didnt shed as he should have. I just ensured that i clipped him regularly and rugged accordingly. It is the cushings laminitis that you need to look out for. At the time, the cost of the tablets more than compensated for the cost of shavings, his favourite pastime was weeing!!
JGKJ
Well-Known Member
Ive just had my 33 year old Cushing's pony put to sleep due to liver failure, (probably un-related to Cushing's).
He was diagnosed in January this year on he was on Pergolide and i really saw a differencce in him until he got poorly with his Liver.
He didnt really have any typical symptoms, no excessive drinking or urinating, not weird fat pads etc, just he had quite a long coat. Had his liver not packed up on him, i feel confident that the Pergolide would have made a vast differnce to him so its certianly worth investigating.
He was diagnosed in January this year on he was on Pergolide and i really saw a differencce in him until he got poorly with his Liver.
He didnt really have any typical symptoms, no excessive drinking or urinating, not weird fat pads etc, just he had quite a long coat. Had his liver not packed up on him, i feel confident that the Pergolide would have made a vast differnce to him so its certianly worth investigating.
LauraBaxendale
Member
[ QUOTE ]
He was diagnosed in January this year on he was on Pergolide and i really saw a differencce in him until he got poorly with his Liver.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is possible to get liver disease secondary to cushing's, but there are so many other causes of liver disease too.
I always used to think it was caused by an benign tumour, but one of the clinicians at uni says it is now accepted that it is a dysfunction of the pituitary gland. I think there is a lot of research into the condition going on at the moment, so I guess in a few years we'll have some more answers!
The long curly coat is very typical, and I think it is the only condition in which this coat is seen. However as many of you have said not all affected horses have the curly coat. My old mare had cushings - she grew a long coat which she moulted constantly. At the time because of this my vet didn't pick up that she had it as all cases were believed to have the curly coat. However, she did test positive when eventually tested!
Other signs include excessive eating and drinking, muscle wasting (causing "pot bellied" appearance), patch sweating, bulging supraorbital fat pads (so get bulge rather than hollow above eye), increased breathing rate.
Most animals can cope well with these signs, and many can remain in normal work. Obviously things like regular clipping of etc if needed can help them enormously.
The impression I get is it is the secondary problems which are the biggest. The main one being laminitis - unlike "normal" laminitis it will turn up at any time of year and in situations when you are not expecting it (just before my horse was diagnosed she had an attack in the middle of winter when there was snow on the ground and she certainly wasn't overweight). Also there is increased incidence of infections (like the abscesses mentioned), and high parasite burdens.
Most cases get along fine without treatment, just with management e.g. clipping hair, rapid aggressive treatment of infections, monitoring weight, regular dentals, good parasite control, strict measures to prevent laminitis etc. If treatment is needed, then as mentioned there is Pergolide which seems to be most commonly used, but there are a couple of others.
My horse was on a trial for something called Equi Vitex. I don't know what the results of the trial were - she died before it was over, and haven't seen anything published. She did seem to do pretty well on it, but we were managing her pretty strictly so it could be she would have been ok anyway.
She was put down because of foot abscesses which just wouldn't clear up, and when one finally did start to heal another would pop up. However, she was in her early 30's, and had had cushings for over 10 years.
He was diagnosed in January this year on he was on Pergolide and i really saw a differencce in him until he got poorly with his Liver.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is possible to get liver disease secondary to cushing's, but there are so many other causes of liver disease too.
I always used to think it was caused by an benign tumour, but one of the clinicians at uni says it is now accepted that it is a dysfunction of the pituitary gland. I think there is a lot of research into the condition going on at the moment, so I guess in a few years we'll have some more answers!
The long curly coat is very typical, and I think it is the only condition in which this coat is seen. However as many of you have said not all affected horses have the curly coat. My old mare had cushings - she grew a long coat which she moulted constantly. At the time because of this my vet didn't pick up that she had it as all cases were believed to have the curly coat. However, she did test positive when eventually tested!
Other signs include excessive eating and drinking, muscle wasting (causing "pot bellied" appearance), patch sweating, bulging supraorbital fat pads (so get bulge rather than hollow above eye), increased breathing rate.
Most animals can cope well with these signs, and many can remain in normal work. Obviously things like regular clipping of etc if needed can help them enormously.
The impression I get is it is the secondary problems which are the biggest. The main one being laminitis - unlike "normal" laminitis it will turn up at any time of year and in situations when you are not expecting it (just before my horse was diagnosed she had an attack in the middle of winter when there was snow on the ground and she certainly wasn't overweight). Also there is increased incidence of infections (like the abscesses mentioned), and high parasite burdens.
Most cases get along fine without treatment, just with management e.g. clipping hair, rapid aggressive treatment of infections, monitoring weight, regular dentals, good parasite control, strict measures to prevent laminitis etc. If treatment is needed, then as mentioned there is Pergolide which seems to be most commonly used, but there are a couple of others.
My horse was on a trial for something called Equi Vitex. I don't know what the results of the trial were - she died before it was over, and haven't seen anything published. She did seem to do pretty well on it, but we were managing her pretty strictly so it could be she would have been ok anyway.
She was put down because of foot abscesses which just wouldn't clear up, and when one finally did start to heal another would pop up. However, she was in her early 30's, and had had cushings for over 10 years.