Testing for Cushings and EMS

[mturnbull]

(also in new lounge)

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!

 

[canteron]

I would definately get tested for Cushings - I have doubts about EMS and think that it is a little bit of a fad, I know others will differ.

The Cushings drugs and pretty amazing, and although relatively expensive (just under £1/day for my 15hh cob) it has meant that now I have got the weight off I can keep my oldie outside 24/7 - obviously being aware of weight/how much grass, etc.

Although expensive, before with regular bouts of laminitus/abcesses it was expensive with vet wrap/gaffer tape, shavings plus of course huge amounts of nurofen for me as I continuously had a bad back.

EMS - I had my horse on - 35 - disguesting tasting metformin tablets for a couple of months, had absolutely no impact except we both lost the will to live ....... and of course it would never work because the horse had cushings. Personally, I'm pretty sure that diet is more key than the metformin!

 

[lizness]

Hiya,
I would maybe give your vet a ring, there is an offer for free Cushings tests at the mo. May as well get it when price is lower.
Liz