Loose Droppings - increased Pergolide & now on Danilon

[Eaglestone]

Has anyone else had this problem when increasing Pergolide and/or using Danilon or Bute?

Got Vet out as my 26 Cushings horse has got suspected Laminitis again.

Last bout was October 2005 / box rested 5 month as was diagnosed with Cushings induced Laminitis. He has since made a full recovery from the Laminitis and been ridden again and been treated like a normal horse (but less work of course just light slow hacks) but on very very controlled turnout on grass. So I have been the luckiest horse owner ever!

He was on 1mg Pergolide but Vet suggested 1 1/2mg Pergolide and 1 Danilon AM and PM for 10 days then back to normal (1 Pergolide only and no Danilon) and see him on day 12 - his is on Field Shelter rest in a deep tiny wood chipped paddock so can see his mate. This started Wednesday PM. Last night (thurs) noticed slightly looser droppings but now this morning all of them are loose, which is not his norm. Vet suggested reducing the Pergolide to 1 1/4 and Danilon to 1 am 1/2 pm to see if this stops it. He is not in obvious pain and only me and the Vet can see that he may be suffering from Laminitis. He took bloods and the Glucose and Insulin levels are normal so we got it in time!

Sorry for long post but I know there are fellow sufferers of the same issues out there somewhere!

Thanks.

PS The picture below is him last July 2006 looking really well although a trim version of his former self. He is a bit ribby now but I put that down to the Cushings!

 

[MurphysMinder]

He isn't eating the wood chippings is he and irritating his gut? Just a thought as our Cushings pony can't be kept on a starvation paddock as she eats the soil and gets sand colic! She is 12hh and on 1 pergolide a day ,how big is your horse, 1 1/2 doesn't sound an excessive dose. She has also had bute whilst on perglide without any ill effects. Sorry can't really offer anay other ideas. Our girl is quite ribby and I put it down to the cushings too. Hope he picks up soon.

 

[Kezza]

yes danilon gives my horse loose droppings but he's fine on bute. his face swells up on danilon as well but not on bute. my vet said it's very rare for danilon to cause problems rather bute but my boy is living proof!

 

[Eaglestone]

Thank you both for your replies which have been very reassuring.

Murphysminder ...
I have never seen him eat the wood chippings and as he has been in that environment for over a year I don't think that would be the case, however I had not thought of that, but he can obviously pick some up when eating his hay which falls on it! I did not think 1 1/2 mg of P was excessive either for a 14.3 horse as I have heard of one big chap on 4 a day, but the Vet suggested lowering to 1 1/4mg a day as I had said his droppings had changed, as well as reducing the Danilon - I also thought it strange that both medicines were reduced at the same time! How do you keep your 12hh pony if she cannot be on a starvation paddock?

Kazza
Perhaps I have a bad memory and he did have loose droppings late 2005/early 2006 when he was on danilon last! But its reassuring to know that perhaps its this that may have caused it. The problem has not got worse over the week, and possible they are a little better, but will keep on monitoring! .... I hope when I see him tonight I dont notice any facial swellings now .. call me paranoid if you will!!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Don't worry you're not the only one who gets paranoid! The staravation paddock our pony was on when she had the colic problems was almost bare of grass, which was why she kept eating soil. She now rotates between 2 tiny paddocks with very short grass (but we never let them get bare), and has time out each day on longer grass in a grazing muzzle. She has a section of hay at night and a feed of hifi each day. She is actually quite lean at the moment which I think is possibly due to the cushings, but (fingers crossed) we are keeping her lami free and she seems quite happy.