Pony with Cushing's - advice please

[Vermeer]

Hi folks. Blood test results came back today with borderline result for Cushing's. Pony is a native in mid 20's, a very good doer, and fed dengie hifi molasses free. I would really appreciate some experiences and advice from others with Cushing's ponies/horses, so I know how best to manage her. Detailed answers welcome! Thanks all

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Mine was borderline and vet gave me the option of half a tablet a day because his coat was not normal last year he just didn't shed and she agreed it wasn't right, I opted for that and must say his looking better this year coat is shedding and his fat pads have gone I'm glad I did it.

I would rather medicate on a low dose than risk laminitis as I have had 2 go down with it previously and don't want another.

Louis is only 18 and healthy apart from that his still ridden.

 

[Archangel]

There is an excellent FB group Equine PPID (Cushings). Lots of useful information and advice on there.

Has the vet suggested Prascend?

My horse was borderline and I decided to medicate to be on the safe side and just half a tablet a day.

It transformed him.
He is now on 1 tablet a day and is 31.

I am careful to keep any additional feed under 10% sugar/starch (combined). For instance he is on Happy Hoof Molasses free and speedibeet now. Emerald Green Magic Meadow nuts as well in the winter (9.5% sugar/starch).
Even check supplements for hidden stuff.

Their immune system can get compromised so sometimes they can get skin infections or worm burdens.

 

[Gloi]

Mine was on 1/2 tablet a day for about 5 years until pts for unrelated reasons.
His symptoms, excessive urination and strange sweating , resolved very quickly and he stayed well. He still ate hay and grass well but would no longer eat low sugar concentrates but ate other ones okay.Hhe never had laminitis.

 

[MummyEms]

Our pony is 21 and has been on one whole prascend for nearly 2 years now.
Neue we found out he had started to drop weight and his stable was so wet, so we tested.
He looks so shiny and beautiful now. He's fully fit, well, and a pony club superstar for my daughter.

 

[splashgirl45]

Ask your vet if he/she thinks medication is a good idea. Cushings is a progressive disease and will get worse eventually. I medicated mine so she could still stay on the same routine regarding turnout and I cut any feed down to light chaff and formula4feet in the summer and the same in winter but added fast fibre to help keep weight on. I soaked her hay in winter as well and she was ridden 5 or 6 times a week all year round to keep her fit… I also got her tested twice a year to check on her levels

 

[meleeka]

Mine has been on Prascend for coming up 10 years and you wouldn’t know there was anything wrong. She’s doing amazingly for her 29 years. I only tested because she kept getting laminitis in her hinds only and was quiet. I thought she was just getting old but she literally lost years once medicated. She’s only ever gone footy once and her levels were high so dose was increased. Shes on 2 tablets now and has been for a few years.

My other oldie just had a long coat, no other symptoms. Her levels seem to be rising quicker and she’s now on 1.5. She is well over 30 though.

Both live out on 2 acres with a track in the summer and ad-lib meadow hay. Feed is Veteran Light and Cushcare.

I would also recommend joint the FB group Equine PPID (it’s the one with the largest amount of members when you search).

 

[Vermeer]

Thanks all for the great advice

 

[Orangehorse]

Mine has just been put on 1 tablet. He does look better, although he has got the "woolly socks" look a bit. He didn't really have a summer coat the last 2 years, but I see he is starting to shed his coat a bit.

The tablets are quite expensive though.