Dosage check for prascend

[WandaMare]

Hi, just wondered how often those of you with cushings horses get blood tests done to check the doseage of prascend is correct? I usually get mine tested annually with her vaccination but wondering if I should be checking it more often, I know the levels can change at different times of year.Thanks

 

[HashRouge]

I get mine checked as little as the vet will let me get away with (ever 2 years atm)
In my defence, this is a 27 year old who has been on the same dose for about 10 years. Her test results have come back as normal every time and she has no obvious symptoms.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Every 6 months, and I make sure that one of the tests is during the autumn rise in which PPID horses show a greater rise in ACTH levels than unaffected horses.

 

[WandaMare]

ok thanks both. my mares results have come back under 28 the last 3 years, she was last tested in October but she seems to get a bit lethargic at this time of year. I'm not sure if its cushings related or just winter boredom. It just struck me this evening that maybe i should get her tested more often but wasn't sure what was the 'norm'. thanks for your replies.

 

[HashRouge]

ok thanks both. my mares results have come back under 28 the last 3 years, she was last tested in October but she seems to get a bit lethargic at this time of year. I'm not sure if its cushings related or just winter boredom. It just struck me this evening that maybe i should get her tested more often but wasn't sure what was the 'norm'. thanks for your replies.

I'd certainly recommend testing if there is something not quite right - lethargy would get the alarm bells ringing for me.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Under 28 in October is a good result, the usual reference range is nearly double that then. It’s worth mentioning her current lethargy to your vet though, it may be something or nothing (hopefully nothing).

 

[WandaMare]

yes thanks, I need to arrange another prescription soon so I will talk to my vet about it. She has seemed a bit quiet for her the last few days but still eating well and not showing any other symptoms. it might just be the cold and the time of year but I agree its probably worth just getting it checked again.

 

[splashgirl45]

i used to get my old cushings mare twice a year, round about april and october, i did it like that as her levels were not easily controlled so i didnt want to leave it too long and risk laminitis..

 

[Gloi]

I had mine done annually when the vet came to do teeth & jabs.If their were any signs of changes to the pony I would have had them checked then but he seemed stable.

 

[meleeka]

Yearly for mine too. I increased her dosage based on symptoms once, but she’s been on the same dose for years now.

 

[Lissie2]

When ever I sense he’s not quite ‘right’ or he starts to show mild symptoms again - then I will test x

 

[NOISYGIRL2]

Mine is 41 and I usually have him tested annually but since changing to the bova paste I am having him checked again next week, you can have them tested ANY time of year, Liphook have a reference chart to compare results to so it doesn't matter when you do it. Mine has been medicated since diagnosis Nov 2015 and I believe has suffered veil symptoms ever since going through the veil for about 6 weeks in the beginning as I didn't know about starting on a low dose and working up to the prescribed dose.

After over 4 years on the pill I thought I'd give the paste a go as he'd lost so much weight was worth a try, well he is back to his old self prior to diagnosis, eating everything has completely changed from the dopey, not eating horse I had all along. So for anyones horse showing these symptoms would highly recommend the paste