Possible Cushing's Disease in in-foal Broodmare

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catts

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My mare is in foal to No Limit and she is due in May. In the past two weeks she appears to be showing symptoms of Cushing's disease (muscle loss over the withers/saddle area and hindquarters; swollen over the eyes; sweating; docile and has had trouble shaking off an infected cut). The vet has been consulted and is coming out this week to examine her.

Does anyone have any experience of managing a mare in foal with Cushing's?
 
Same as managing a cushingoid horse

However, dont forget the muscle wasting etc, could possibly be due to metabolic upset in the mares system due to being pregnant.

The vet will not be able to do dexamethasone suppression test or ACTH tests on her as it could risk the placenta, he will prob do a urine creatinine:cortisol ratio to assess whether she is in the risk.

How old is your mare?
 
Thanks for your advice. She's 18 and until 2 weeks ago she looked like I could have chucked a saddle on her and gone eventing out of the field..... I was hoping that I could get some indication of foal survival in Cushings broodmares. Any thoughts? If she had shown any signs of it prior to being covered I would never have put her in foal, but she simply looked spectacular. I take on board what you say about her being in foal and it having an effect on her, but she's always kept her condition on really well in previous pregnancies, hence the worry now. Will just have to wait for what the vet says.
 
I had a number of mares in my research who had had foals whilst cushingoid......... so I would assume that it is possible to maintain the mare and the foal despite the disease.

Ahhh, well if she has had previous foals and had no problems then ye Id get hte urine assessment from the vet.......

However, as I say, heard of mares having foals whilst cushingoid..... so I guess its just keeping an eye on her management etc.
 
other thing to ask you vet to check is gestational diabetes, diabetes has some of the symptoms of cushions change in weight condition score etc it will also effect how you get rid of infections

is she drinking more?
eating more?

just a thought
 
This is an update. My vet as confirmed Cushing's in my broodmare and is looking into the drug options for managing the disease through her pregnancy. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
 
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