Old girl is worrying me - not eating enough

kerrieberry2

kerrieberry2

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 June 2009
Messages
2,618
Location
Basingstoke
Visit site
She was diagnosed with cushings about 2 months ago and has had a bit of a time with it! her immune system is so low she's managed to get some random lumps, and really itchy, I tried to clip her (and had blade issues, so she was half clipped for 2 weeks, whilst they were being sharpened) and once clipped discovered she had ringworm! but in really weird places, the vet was puzzled, in between her back legs, on my sides (where a saddle would have once sat) and on her face in 4 places! that is all getting better after treatment

The meds haven't worked, so have been update to 3 a day from 1 a day, I put them in slices of apple to make sure she gets them

but

in the last few days she's stopped eating all of her food, so I reduced it down and this morning she ate half then walked off and tried to steal my geldings food! they have exactly the same feed, so its not like his will taste different.

They've been one the same feed for months, I've recently swapped from molasses free high fi to a herby chaff to try and help the itching but she's been on that for a few weeks, so not sure if she's going off the taste of that! the only other thing I can think is that I've just opened a new bag of fast fibre, so could it be that? or could it be the cushings

They have plenty of hay, so she won't go hungry but I don't want her lose weight, esp now that she's fully clipped and is 28yrs old!
 
sorry you are having problems, my mare has just gone up to 3 1/2 prascend daily..i found i had to change her feed completely when she went on medication as the feed she had been happily eating for years was not to her liking..i wonder if the tablets change their taste buds? i changed from speedibeet ,happy hoof and formula 4 feet to fast fibre, baileys low chaff(which is quite minty)formula 4 feet and a few high fibre nuggets on top of the feed to tempt her. this has been working for the last 4 months so you may need to try changing her feed..if you contact the feed companies they are pretty good about sending samples so you can try her out without wasting money..good luck
 
Have a look at the Soft n Soak Ready Mash range, thats good for older horses. A lady on our yard used it for her oldie and it worked well. Has your Vet said whether Piriton could help atall? Not sure how that stands when Cushings is in the picture.

Perhaps she would benefit from a bath in something that would soothe her itching? Vet may be able to help you there. The itching could be to do with the ringworm, there are lots of things going on. I know its cold but if shes clipped it wont take long to get her warm and dry and may help her skin.
Lastly make sure her rugs are clean and wash them in something soap based to be gentle on her skin.

Hope that helps and that she feels better soon.
 
Hi my mare is 26 and been diagnosed with Cushings for 13 months now. She is on 1 Prascend a day. She has tended to go on and off food while she has been medication and I have found that splitting her feeds into 3 a day has helped. Good luck, it is a constant worry and I empathise with you.
 
thanks for this guys, Izzwizz, I think the itching was due to the ringworm as its really toned down now! I've got special shampoo that helps with ringworm etc, so she's been bathed in that!!

I will contact some of the feed companies suggested and see whether I can get some samples! she doesn't have a bit feed but will be coming in at night from this weekend, so I will split it into two feeds and hopefully she will be more likely to eat it all!

Splashgirl, do you buy the prescand from the vets? Its so expensive, I've been looking for places online to get it a bit cheaper, so any suggestions for places to buy would be great!
 
Two thoughts. Firstly I use fenugreek and dried mint to disquise the Prascend. Try it and if it works you can buy cheaply in bulk on the Internet.

Secondly for some horses their appetites do initially decrease on Prascend. TBH I have found the information on the Phoenix horse forums amazing for helping me understand how to manage my horse's cushings.
 
i get mine from viovet, just bought 120 tablets for £130.80..i think vetmed are a bit cheaper but i have had really good, quick service from viovet. you will need a prescription from your vet, mine charges £12.50 but that covered me for 7 months..
 
I have just put my 17 yo on barley rings, you dont have to soak them but I chuck them in some water for 2 mins and then mix into his feed. He is a VERY fussy eater but these seem to bind his food all together (chaff, veteran mix, garlic, turmeric) which he loves and scoffs. He isn't very good orientated so will just leave it if it isnt to his taste.

Or instead of adding another food maybe try the spearmint you can get in huge bags, this makes it more paletable I find.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top