Talk to me about Cushing's?

[InklePickle]

My elderly gelding has been diagnosed with Cushing's today, his levels are 112 and he is going on pergolide but can you all give me your best tips to help manage him please

 

[HobleytheTB]

If you're on Facebook there's a fantastic group with lots of resources that are all based on proper science. Its called Equine PPID (cushings). The main thing is to keep starch and sugar low (less than 10% combined sugar and starch in any hard feed), and to keep the weight healthy as cushings increases risk of laminitis. If you need to put weight on the horse, oils and fats are a safe way of doing it.

When you start pergolide (likely to be prascend tablets) it is advisable to start on a small dose (eg 1/4 tablet a day), and increase slowly to the full dose required over a few weeks or so to minimise side effects such as inappetence.

Some horses may require additional rugging to keep warm over winter, or will need clipping in summer if they have retained their winter coat and are struggling to keep cool. The symptoms can vary quite a bit!

The main thing I'd recommend is not to panic! It's a condition that is totally manageable and a lot will come down to the individual horse.

 

[InklePickle]

Thank you

 

[shortstuff99]

The above advice is really good. Although once levels are controlled the risk of lami does reduce.

However, while it is perfectly manageable to be aware that it is a deteriorating condition. I had one on Prascend for about 10 years and then went downhill very suddenly (ataxia/stroke) which was quite distressing.

 

[InklePickle]

Thank you

 

[Cortez]

Likewise I had had a Cushing's horse that was well maintained on Pergolide for a long while and in full work, then went downhill quite quickly.

 

[meleeka]

I have one on Prascend and it’s been really positive. She acts like a youngster and has never looked or felt better. She’s 27 now and been on meds for about 8 years. If laminitis isn’t a current concern, it’s worth introducing gradually as it can make them go off feed. If you are dealing with laminitis then you can worry about side effects later, so just start on full dose.

The FB group has a lot of files which are informative. They are quite dismissive if you ask questions without reading the files first, so that’s a good place to start.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

As above start the prascend gradually and if you do still get any mild side effects don't panic they do generally pass. I thought mine had just mellowed with age but once he was medicated it was like he was young again, he was back to his old self snorting and jogging about the place. Mine lived for years very happy and healthy being medicated till eventually we couldn't control the laminitis anymore no matter what dose he was on and despite living a grass free life on a track round his field.

 

[Casey76]

When you’ve started on Prascend, don’t be tempted by any supplements which contain agnus castus/chastetree berry (those marketed for Cushing’s horses), as it will counteract the pergolide and make it less efficacious.

Be aware that any supplements may decrease symptoms such as sweating or long coat/late shed, but they do not do anything to treat the underlying condition, and while the symptoms may appear decreased, the condition itself is actually getting worse. Pergolide is currently the only actual treatment for the cause of PPID, and even then it can only reduce the progression, not cure.

 

[Apizz2019]

We had a cushings pony.

I was told as long as we medicated at the correct dosage, he was at no more risk from lami or anything else than the normal horse.

Sadly, we lost him within a few months of diagnosis, due to his suspensories.
That's the only thing I wasn't aware of, in that Cushings also affects connective tissues.

It is a degenerative condition sadly. We can't stop the progression, only slow it down, but many horses have gone for years and years on the magic pill and have continued to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

There is a PPID group on Facebook, as mentioned by others, that was a great resource and support to me on our short Cushings journey.

Good luck!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

When you’ve started on Prascend, don’t be tempted by any supplements which contain agnus castus/chastetree berry (those marketed for Cushing’s horses), as it will counteract the pergolide and make it less efficacious.

Be aware that any supplements may decrease symptoms such as sweating or long coat/late shed, but they do not do anything to treat the underlying condition, and while the symptoms may appear decreased, the condition itself is actually getting worse. Pergolide is currently the only actual treatment for the cause of PPID, and even then it can only reduce the progression, not cure.

This, except that Prascend is merely a brand name for the drug pergolide and only controls the symptoms, it cannot stop the progression of the disease.