Dementia?????

[PC Steele]

Is there any research into equine dementia? My 25 yr old has Cushing’s and is getting more and more ‘confused’ iris extremely distressing to watch and I have no idea what to do to help him ???

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I'm sorry but imho when it gets to that stage, its time to say good-bye.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

I totally agree with PaS, I’m so sorry but it sounds as though the choice is out of your hands. x

 

[Muddywellies]

He's telling you he's tired now. Bless him. Do the right thing by him.

 

[meleeka]

How bad it it? is he medicated? just wondering if it’s side effects. if he is try reducing dose for a few days. if he’s not he probably should be. It must be quite distressing for them too.

 

[PC Steele]

How bad it it? is he medicated? just wondering if it’s side effects. if he is try reducing dose for a few days. if he’s not he probably should be. It must be quite distressing for them too.

Yes he is medicated, on 1 1/2 tablets a day. It isn’t really bad and doesn’t happen all the time!! He definitely has ‘episodes’ it’s like he doesn’t know where he is? But he definitely knows me always.

 

[rextherobber]

There is a very helpful informative facebook group, if you haven't already discovered it - Equine PPID (Cushings) Chat Lounge, may be worth looking at some of the files/topics on there?

 

[scruffyponies]

I had one who in retrospect showed signs of dementure as he began showing signs of Cushings / Pituitary issues. With him the end came very quickly, so likely a pituitary tumour but the first sign was in his personality a couple of months prior.

 

[exracehorse]

Yes he is medicated, on 1 1/2 tablets a day. It isn’t really bad and doesn’t happen all the time!! He definitely has ‘episodes’ it’s like he doesn’t know where he is? But he definitely knows me always.

My boy who is 27 and Cushings definitely has some sort of dementia. I have to make sure his hay is put in the same box in the field otherwise he gets confused. I have to physically show him where it is. And he has to be the first in as otherwise he has a breakdown and thinks he’s going to be left behind.

 

[hollyandivy123]

Have you had his eyes checked?

 

[HobleytheTB]

Could the episodes of confusion be partial seizures? I know seizures are associated with ppid... have you had acth levels checked recently? And checking eye sight would also be a good idea.

 

[Fransurrey]

If his PPID is tumour derived, then it's likely the tumour is extending into the cerebrum or indirectly affecting his perception through pressure on the optic nerve (chiasm). It does sound like it's time to say goodbye. :-(

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

There is a whole thread in The Club House about how awful it is that people have to be left to suffer through dementia, because we can't do for them what we would do for our horses and dogs. Why would anyone want to prolong the life of a confused animal, a prey animal, no less who is probably living in a perpetual state of fear?

 

[zandp]

Have his levels been checked recently ? Has his eyesight been checked ?

 

[Melody Grey]

There is a whole thread in The Club House about how awful it is that people have to be left to suffer through dementia, because we can't do for them what we would do for our horses and dogs. Why would anyone want to prolong the life of a confused animal, a prey animal, no less who is probably living in a perpetual state of fear?

If my experience with humans is anything to go by, there’s a distinct risk of rapid and uncontrolled physical deterioration too as appetite and normal levels of fluid consumption can be compromised amongst the confusion.
It’s very sad but it would be time for a dignified end if any of my horses ended up like that.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If my experience with humans is anything to go by, there’s a distinct risk of rapid and uncontrolled physical deterioration too as appetite and normal levels of fluid consumption can be compromised amongst the confusion.
It’s very sad but it would be time for a dignified end if any of my horses ended up like that.

You have to ask yourself who you are keeping the horse going for - himself or you?

 

[Winters100]

I'm sorry, but it is time to let him go peacefully. We owe our animals this last respect. If it is distressing for you to see it then imagine how it must be for him. Sorry that you are in this situation, but you need to find it in you to do right by him.

 

[brighteyes]

PPID (as I understand it) is enlargement of the pituitary gland and as such 'a tumour', essentially. Depending on which area enlarges, and therefore into which area it intrudes, it can cause vision issues and other strange effects. I am not going to advise in any direction other that approach your vet with a clear idea of what you feel you would like to do if possible (in consultation with the vet) or follow their advice if they feel the problem will escalate. Don't feel obliged to chuck £££'s to delay the inevitable or ashamed about making pragmatic decisions.