Testing for Cushings and EMS

mturnbull

mturnbull

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Hello!

Keeping a long story short I got my horse of 6 years back this weekend after him being out on loan for 18 months. I added him back onto my insurance and while I was on the phone was told he wouldnt be covered for laminitis, which I knew as he had a bout of stress laminitis in 2009 but now because due to this age (15) and previous laminitis he also wont be covered for cushings or equine metabolic syndrome unless he is tested now and get the all 'clear' I wouldnt be able to claim in the future.

Just wondering if anyone has gone down the route of testing for either of these?

Or is anyone has had an older pony/horse with either of these and did or did not have their horse covered for this?

I know by no means is 15 an old age for a horse but Im starting to go down the path of looking after an oldie which I hadnt been before as always having ponies which were sold on or younger horses and selling them on.

Any comments or advice greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks for the link, I had come across it earlier after my vet had mentioned it after speaking to him. He recomended getting the tests done from a proffesional point of view but just wondered if anyone had been in this situation. I of course want the best care and insurance cover for my boy but before paying to get these done trying to find out as before I hadnt even thought of the risk/link between his bout of laminitis.
 
Oberon said:
I had my old boy tested for Cushings last week....

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=530214
Click to expand...

Just read your thread, this is also my worry! I would want to know but its just another worry right? Because if i was to get these tests done now and something came up even though I was doing it so he could be insured for future it would mean I wouldnt have insurance for it and he would be on medication for his future, if thats what he needs I would do it as long as hes happy!
 
I was in exactly your situation, with the exception that the laminitis was 2008. He was excluded for IR, EMS, Cushings and laminitis, despite no vet visit since 2008 for other than a routine vacc!

I'm afraid I told the insurance company to get stuffed and joined the BHS.

I did get him tested two weeks ago for Cushings, to make sure and he was clear. The whole thing was only £160 and I also had a visit to another pony for vacc. Didn't know about the lab vouchers, either. Thing is, I checked with the broker and she said that you could APPLY to have the exclusion removed with a clear result, but there was still no guarantee that they would remove it.
 
hi i was in a very similar situation,i have a 9 year old who tested positive for cushings last september and although i never claimed anything on insurance..i had told them about it,when my renewal came through for this year he was excluded for ems,laminitus and cushings so i spoke to them and asked why he was being excluded for all 3 when he only had low level cushings(acth level was 56)and has never had laminitus or ems.
was told if he had a clear blood test they would consider taking exclusions off and that all 3 were linked so that was reason it was on there...
anyway had blood tests,clear for ems but still low level cushings so they wouldnt budge as said he was at a higher risk of getting laminitus so nothing i could do really,hope that helps.
 
Im having my Exmoor to have a free blood test tomorrow for EMS and Cushings! He has previous history of Lami!! Best check my insurance!
 
I sacked off insurance when he turned 25.

Any substantial claim - I wouldn't put him through the treatment of anyway.

I want to be the one to make decisions about my horse's care - not some dude in a suit.
 
Thanks for all your comments, Im just unsure whether its worth it or not. As he has has had one bout of lami and it was due to stress not weight related. He is also very nervous around the vet so unless necessary I tend to stay away from them. I will do some more reading I think!
 
Whereabouts in Scotland are you? The reason i ask is that Loch Leven vets are having a talk next month that is free, Clyde vet had their EMS and Cushings lecture evening last week aswell
 
Nadinek82 can you give me some more info on the loch leven evening or i can have a look at there website. Im not too far from there surgery although i have always been a client with Sturthers and Scott.
 
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