Some advice needed please?

[southdowns01]

I have just had my 26 year old PBA mare tested for cushings as my vets said they were running a free blood test via the makers of Pergolide. I had vet out anyway for a flu jab so thought why not as i have been thinking for a while that my mare might have cushings.
She has a slight crest, pot belly and is a bit ribby, she has become very quiet when ridden (would usually be very bouncy and jog all the way home!)
No history of laminitis but have put her on restricted grazing now due to her crest.
Vet phoned today and said her levels came back as 39....seasonal limit is 29 or below.He said that they could start treatment for her at a cost of 95p a day.
Now, the more i research this the more i am seeing that a level of 39 doesn't seem that high compared to some so i'm not sure whether i should consider treatment for her or not??

Any advice would be greatly received...

Thanks

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

Cushings is managed better the sooner u start treating it I believe, so I prob wouldn't want to risk not treating it. But I suppose it depends on prognosis due to age, it may be best to treat herbally if it just about her comfort ie Shes retired? Tough one....

 

[southdowns01]

She's not retired as still loves to go out, only 3-4 times a week, 30mins-1hour hacking. I don't mind having to pay out for treatment as i will do anything that she needs but i just don't want to be too hasty about it if the levels aren't too bad? But i guess they will only get worse??

 

[Nats]

What is considered a 'normal' value varies during the year, and at the moment ACTH should be nearly at its lowest. Have a look at this info from Liphook, particularly the graph:

http://www.liphookequinehosp.co.uk/documents/PituitaryParsIntermediaDysfunction.pdf

And there is some useful info on the website: http://www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk/

which is from the makers of Prascend, the drug used to control Cushings in horses. Whether you decide to medicate her at this point is really up to you, but be aware that in the early stages of the disease, ACTH can fluctuate, so you may not be getting the full picture. Also, there is a seasonal rise in ACTH in the autumn (as shown in the Liphook graph) which is when horses with uncontrolled Cushings are most at risk of laminitis.

I'm in a similar position, so feel free to pm me if you want to chat

 

[splashgirl45]

although the reading is quite low at the moment it may be worth putting her on a low dose of prascend to see if her condition improves . my mare also has cushings and she was diagnosed in august last year and her level was 172. one of the reasons i got her tested was that she seemed a bit depressed and slightly grumpy which is very out of character. you may find your mare changes back to her jogging again if you do treat her. good luck..