Lottie7
Well-Known Member
Any help from people who have experience of this subject would be very greatly appreciated.
My 20 yr old 16.2 warmblood was diagnosed with cushings in January when he developed an acute bout of laminitis. We have gone down the normal laminitis lock down route - box rest, deep shavings bed, soaked hay, etc. He is on Happy Hoof and Formula 4 Feet. He started Pergolide at 1mg and has been blood tested 3 times now (each time he is sedated for foot trim) and the ACTH levels have steadily dropped as we have increased the dosage. We are just about to increase from 2mg to 2.5mg as his ACTH levels are in the 50s (and need to be below 30, I am advised).
His general well being has improved dramatically as the dosage has increased and we have virtually dropped the bute off as we do not want him to be too active in the stable. He has only set foot on the yard to have his feet trimmed, other than that he is on box rest.
The initial x-rays showed minimal rotation and the farrier has done a brilliant job with restructuring the feet. However, after this latest trim he is showing some "sponginess" to the sole (just below point of frog) in one hoof. We are going to x-ray again at the next trim if this still looks cause for concern.
Any input would be welcome but I would specifically be grateful if anyone has expericene of how long it took to stabalise the laminitis following start of pergolide treatment. I appreciate that the dosage has to be increased gradually and in accordance with the levels of ACTH but I'm concerned that the laminitis is still bubbling away and he is at risk of further rotation until we get on top of it. The fact that he is a large, middle weight horse does not help him in these circumstances. Does anyone else have experience of treating a horse of this size with this problem.
Many thanks.
My 20 yr old 16.2 warmblood was diagnosed with cushings in January when he developed an acute bout of laminitis. We have gone down the normal laminitis lock down route - box rest, deep shavings bed, soaked hay, etc. He is on Happy Hoof and Formula 4 Feet. He started Pergolide at 1mg and has been blood tested 3 times now (each time he is sedated for foot trim) and the ACTH levels have steadily dropped as we have increased the dosage. We are just about to increase from 2mg to 2.5mg as his ACTH levels are in the 50s (and need to be below 30, I am advised).
His general well being has improved dramatically as the dosage has increased and we have virtually dropped the bute off as we do not want him to be too active in the stable. He has only set foot on the yard to have his feet trimmed, other than that he is on box rest.
The initial x-rays showed minimal rotation and the farrier has done a brilliant job with restructuring the feet. However, after this latest trim he is showing some "sponginess" to the sole (just below point of frog) in one hoof. We are going to x-ray again at the next trim if this still looks cause for concern.
Any input would be welcome but I would specifically be grateful if anyone has expericene of how long it took to stabalise the laminitis following start of pergolide treatment. I appreciate that the dosage has to be increased gradually and in accordance with the levels of ACTH but I'm concerned that the laminitis is still bubbling away and he is at risk of further rotation until we get on top of it. The fact that he is a large, middle weight horse does not help him in these circumstances. Does anyone else have experience of treating a horse of this size with this problem.
Many thanks.
