Vet baffled help needed please

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neddymad

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Hi hoping that someone will be able to help me as my vet is baffled. My pony has not been right since feb, march time. It started as general stiffness, then she lost weight and her coat was very stary. She also developed polydipsia and polyuria. Her bloods showed increased AST and CK levels and raised fibrinogen levels. We thought it was a form of tying up but symptoms didn't really add up. Long story short, she still has raised levels but no real muscle loss anywhere to suggest a problem. One strange symptom is that every so often her neck swells up as if she has been pumped up with air. As soon as she is moving around it subsides and doesn't seem to bother her. She had a biopsy on a lump in the muscle between her front legs but that has come back that it is down to an injury. Sorry for the length of post and thank you to those of you who have read it all:)
 
Just thought i'd add she is a 12hh stocky dartmoor type. I clipped her neck out today and you can really see that it looks odd. I have got vet out tomorrow to do more blood test but I am really worried. Was hoping some one might have some suggestions as to what it might be. It is 7 months since we started investigations but we still have no answers. Any advice gratefully recieved. Thank you
 
Shots in the dark but EPSM or Cushings/IR?? Hope Imogen comes on later and has an idea.
It's awful when there's no idea of what is going on isn't it? Hope you get some ideas that help.
I know EPSM is usually a problem in heavy breeds but I believe it's been seen in TB's too. http://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/epsm.htm
 
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Thank you for your reply I mentioned cushings to my vet but he says she is too young (10yrs). I will have a look at the link you posted. It is not knowing what it is that is so worrying and I know she just isn't right:(
 
Right then - go on the UKNHCP forum or on the Yahoo metabolic horse forum and ask the same question

Often a danger sign of a horse with metabolic problems and issues. You may find that giving about 15gr MgO each day will help to begin the reduction of the crest - but it take about 3-4 weeks to start to take effect.

But wiht a horse like this you need to be thinking abotu restricting grass, removing sugars, perhaps soaking hay.

If I see a horse with a big blown up crest, I just wait for the "L" word to happen.

We have a pony (my lami) who had this "whale crest" and it tookl about 2-3 months, but the MgO kick started it and he lost the crest.
 
Thank you. I will do that I will also mention to my vet about it. She is on restricted grass, soaked hay, regular work which is why I find this bicresty neck so strange, especially as it changes throughout the day. Many thanks again:)
 
Agnus Castus (Chaste berry) is useful for cushings - I would never buy Vitex as it is too expensive for such a simple aqueous extract - I prepare it myself.

I buy the berries from Coswold Herbs.
 
Thank you for your replies. vet came out again yesterday and took some more bloods to check AST, Fibrinogen and CK levels. He didn't really share my concerns about her neck he said she was probably carrying too much condition so to put her on even more of a diet than she already is. I agree she is too fat but I still think there is something driving this especially as she still has raised CK and AST levels. Should get results tomorrow so until then have reduced rationed even more.
 
Hi Just thought I'd update you as you have been kind enough to reply to my posts.

The vet has rang and her fibrinogen levels are within the normal range, the AST levels have dropped within the normal range but the top end and her CK levels have dropped a little but are still above normal ranges. He has said to be very mindful of the fact that she may have metabolic syndome. I am to update him in about 6wks.

So, can anyone tell me what the symptoms of metabolic syndome are and your experiences of it. Many many thanks.
 
neddymad said:
My pony has not been right since feb, march time. It started as general stiffness, then she lost weight and her coat was very stary. She also developed polydipsia and polyuria. Her bloods showed increased AST and CK levels and raised fibrinogen levels. We thought it was a form of tying up but symptoms didn't really add up. Long story short, she still has raised levels but no real muscle loss anywhere to suggest a problem. One strange symptom is that every so often her neck swells up as if she has been pumped up with air. As soon as she is moving around it subsides and doesn't seem to bother her.
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neddymad said:
The vet has rang and her fibrinogen levels are within the normal range, the AST levels have dropped within the normal range but the top end and her CK levels have dropped a little but are still above normal ranges. He has said to be very mindful of the fact that she may have metabolic syndome. I am to update him in about 6wks.

So, can anyone tell me what the symptoms of metabolic syndome are and your experiences of it. Many many thanks.
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This sounds rather odd I'd agree :confused:. I think that from the range of symptoms it is possible there has been more than one condition casuing confusion.

I am slightly confused by the neck looking like it's inflated with air, but its hard and goes down when she moves around....from the vets comments I assume he feels it is fat in the crest though? This would make metabolic syndrome far more logical.

amandap said:
Hope Imogen comes on later and has an idea.
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:p

tikino said:
No she isn't i have an 8 year old weshie who has cushings
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This quite a lot of research to show cushings can occur in the younger horse...I believe 7yrs is the youngest - may be owner awareness and more reliable testing has increased out ability to diagnose this?

As for info on EMS - try this for startershttp://www.thehorse.com/pdf/factsheets/equine-metabolic-syndrome/equine-metabolic-syndrome.pdf

HTH
Imogen
 
Thank you, yes my vet does think it is fat being deposited on her crest and not fluid. He agrees though that there may be something driving this. I am sure I am not being an overprotective mummy who can't see that she has eaten too many pies lol :D She is on even more of a resrictive diet now so we will see if her crest goes as she loses weight. I would be interested to know If there were any other conditions that it could be. Many thanks again
 
Sounds like a whole metabolic thing going on - EMS/Cushing's and either it has been brought on by her being very overweight in previous years or her breeding had predisposed her to insulin resistance and abnormal distribution of fat stores. It all sounds a bit too much like she's going to be on a very strict regime from here on in. Be warned, it's a hard slog to keep them sound. The stiffness will be LGL. Get her in on a deep shavings bed and join the weary band of metabolic pony owners on here...
 
Thank you for reply. She has never been overwieght before or had laminitus but this year it has been really hard to keep her slim! What do you mean by LGL? sorry if this is numpty question:o
 
Oh right thank you for clarifying that:o She is stiff behind and was checked by vet and farrier who have said continually that there was no sign of lami. She is on very very strict diet now and will try to get blood testdone at liphook. Vet wants to see how she goes over next 6-8wks. Would you wait orwould you get blood test done now bearing in mind she hasn't had lami?
 
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