Ulcers or cushings

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FresianFan

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Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this situation. The vet is due, but after having a long discussion with her on the phone about my boy's symptoms, she said it could be cushings instead of ulcers. I cannot find any articles etc on google hence asking you lovely people on here.

My boy's symptoms (22yrs old TB)

Total gentleman and very stoic, if you touch his tummy he will try to bite you
Is not maintaining his weight at all.
Goes into trot when ridden, unlike him so i have stopped riding him for the moment.

He is on a ulcer kind diet, and has adlib hay, is out 24/7 unless really bad weather as he stresses in his stable. Up to date with worming, teeth etc.
 
pees a lot, drinks a lot,
prone to infection, needs antibiotics for things other horses would just get over
skin problems
lethargic to ride
losing top line, losing muscle, pot belly
prone to foot abscesses

any of these?
 
all the above are the signs of cushings. Loss of topline and muscle are important signs. I don't think you could second guess. Vet should do an ACTH test which is one pull of blood which will go to Liphook and come back with a number. Make sure you get the number. That number is the test result.

It is a poor time of the year, have you tried upping the feed, including things like micronised linseed, copra. Has a horse vet dentist checked the teeth? I know you said they were up to date but I got some surprises when a vet got the gag on one of mine who had had his teeth regularly done.
 
Yes Vet is going to do blood tests. He has 3 feeds a day, he has thunderbrooks herbal chaff, ulsakind, micronised linseed, balancer and Gain Freedom plus speedibeet plus adlib hay. I have tried a number of different ulcer friendly feeds on advice from a ulcer group, wealth of knowledge but he has not put weight back on.

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated
 
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