Help/ideas as to what could be wrong with my pony please

[thatsmygirl]

Hi all, iv got a little exmoor x gelding who's 12 yrs old. He had laminitis once 2 years ago and has been fine since but due to a very long coat I had him tested for cushings which was nagative. This summer he hasn't had a summer coat and he stays clipped for his comfort. His coat is not curly, he doesn't drink any more than normal, eatting ok and behaviour fine just seems himself but I'm not happy with his coat which is also dull when he gets his supple off vits/mins a day and worming up to date. His coat after he's clipped looks better with a bit off shine but his coat isn't normal iv had him 9 years and know this isn't him. Any ideas? I was wondering if anybody knows anything about thyroid problems? Oh forgot to add he's lost a bit off weight recently which also isn't him which is why iv thought off thyroid problem. The vet has told me just to keep him clipped but it's worrying me that I'm missing something. Iv had him a long time and think the world off him.

 

[DuckToller]

Although ten is young to get cushings, its not impossible, and sometimes the results of blood tests in the early stages are inaccurate - you are probably better off assuming he does have early cushings and treat accordingly. There is also the possibility of equine metabolic syndrome - basically a sort of horse diabetes which can also affect the coat. The chances of an exmoor (even partbred) developing cushings is higher than some other native breeds, because they have the so-called thrifty gene - ie they can live on fresh air and not much else, which predisposes them to metabolic issues.

I have three horses with cushings and/or ems, and two keep their winter coat, which is coarse and staring, and I have to clip them all summer otherwise they get too hot and lose condition. Two of them drink a lot, but their coats are definitely not curly, just coarse by comparison.

I would contact a self help forum for ems and cushings horses - it's a Yahoo group, can't remember its proper name but google yahoo and ems - you get some really great advice on there.

 

[thatsmygirl]

Thank you very much I did wonder if the tests could be inaccurate in early stages this had crossed my mind. The vet said we could treat for Cushings and put him on a low dose but also said that it could upset other parts off him? So haven't decided yet

 

[DuckToller]

It depends what the vet has in mind - you could try a drug like pergolide to see if there is any change. It is quite expensive though, and if not required it would be a waste. Definitely worth a chat with your vet, as it may help with the coat.

I was told it was best to manage my EMS pony by keeping him slim, feeding low sugar feeds to reduce any chance of laminitis, and keeping him exercised. He has metformin for any emergencies (eg when teenager meant to be getting him in from the field didn't show ) but otherwise I don't give him any meds as he is only 10 and I don't want to use drugs until I have to.

The cushings pony is on a similar regime, and he is particularly prone to laminitis, so it is worth getting feed advice as laminitis is obviously associated with cushings/ems, so you might as well be one step ahead on that one!

You could probably do with some good advice on feed and nutrition - a typical appearance of cushings pony is that they can look a bit ribby, while other parts of their body have fat pads - usually crest, quarters, and above tail. So he may indeed be losing condition, or he could be changing shape - perhaps use a weigh tape regularly to check. And try the yahoo group - good free info!