Anyone know anything about Cushing's Disease in Ponies?

Hintza

After a recent car accident whilst towing the pponiies back from a day's hunting we involved in a car accident (other car came across the white line) the horsebox (Ifor Williams trailer) was torn off and somersaulted throwing the ponies out through the gap at the top of the ramp and the roof.

One was thrown into the field and apart from some cuts and bruises is OK. The other has suffered neoralogical damage and chipped bone in his spine but after 5 days at the Vet School is home again and hopefully will make a good recovery (only time will tell but he is very cheeky just now).

However the Vet School suggested he might have Cushing's Disease, very cresty, prone to laminitis, abit of a pot belly, struggles to lose his coat in summer and is 18 years old. However eveything I read suggests he should be in poor condition. He is not and when not having an attack of laminitis is a picture of health. He does scoff a lot my comment is "Even when he dies he won't know it and will still be eating!

They have suggested when he is feeling better that a blood test is a good idea. Probably in a fortnight or so. But why is he not in poor condition?

We have a dog with Cushing's so I know what she was like before getting diagnosed.

Slightl confused! Any ideas?

Chesnut1

This is a bit of a poser?? Generally horses with cushions are in poor condition as the petuitary gland has packed up ( excuse spelling) they do however have the rough coat and often a pot belly. I was led to believe that a major contributing factor was the feeding of molassed beetpulp and that they have often been laminitic in the first place. It does sound like early onset cushings but the vets will be able to give you greater advice. Hope this helps.

Topdogfran

My pony had cushings, but I used to rug him in the winter, feed lots of hay and he never looked 'poor'. I think the poor look comes from lack of feed to keep warm.

Hintza

The funny thing is we starve him in an effort to keep his crest down. He is in a paddock that he grazed to the bone by October with one leaf of hay a day and only got out into the big field every 2-3 days. But when the frost came he got bad Laminitis so has been on hay solely from December and not a huge amount at that.

c6h4m1

I'll PM you, as I can give you some advice and pointers to useful websites/contacts Also on management, and getting the vet to work with you.

orlao

Cushings ponies often do look well IMO I think that vet recognition of cushings has improved beyond recognition in the past decade so horses are now tested and treated long before they get all the symptoms.

The laminitis at out of season so to speak is usually the first sign but if the blood tests come back negative it might be worth asking your vet about insulin resistance as laminitis at odd times can also be caused by that.

BTW your accident must have been horrific:eek: amazing that you all survived let alone with such few injuries

c6h4m1

I think the horses that get Cushings early (ie in their teens) do tend to look well, as compared to the ones who get it in true old age (25+?). The pattern of the disease shows differently IME, too.

Just be aware that the blood tests can come back negative/within normal limits and the pony can still have Cushings - happened to me twice but with horses with every symptom in the book. Pergolide worked wonders

Money saving wise, I've PMd this but in case anyone else has to pay for pergolide and isn't aware - it's much, much cheaper to get a prescription from the vet and get the drug from your chemist. The cost can be something like £40 per 100 tablets instead of £250+ per 100, and when the choice is use pergolide or have your horse put to sleep the cost makes a huge difference in the decision.

joan_brennan

my welsh cob has just had a bout of laminitis , there has been a suggestion that it could be cushings and so I have spent loads of time on the internet searching for info and advice . The first thing :eek: i now know you do not starve. rather than go though it all may i suggest http://www.network54.com/Forum/235380/ this is where i did my questioning and some of the really helpful stuff has been http://www.metabolichorse.co.uk/index.htm and also http://www.globalherbs.co.uk/horse/diseases_laminitis.htm it appears that cushings and laminitis are often interlinked. hope these help. good luck and was horrifed at your accident .

fatpiggy

Cushings often shows different symptoms in different cases. My friend's pony developed it in his 30s. He grew a thick coat but it was never wavy, didn't drink or wee more than normal but he did become prone to laminitits. I would say that the OPs pony is likely to have insulin resistance, in fact they have described another friend's pony to a T !! Without a word of lie, this pony is kept on a 10 x 20m starvation patch from mid-March to November, and at night has quite literally a large handful of hay and a handful of Happy Hoof - (a hay bale last her weeks!). Until she got laminitis for the first time in 15 years last summer, she was FAT, huge crest, huge bum cleavage, and all on next to no feed, despite her knowledgable and careful owner's best efforts. After last year's events she had to wear a grazing mask and my word she is slimline now. I've known this pony for years and never previously found her ribs!

Hintza

Well Vet comes on Friday to check him over re accident. Can then discuss getting the blood tests done.

In the meantime I have just today splashed out (online) for a couple of Himalyan Salt Licks. Our grazing is short on Magnesium (the cows are prone to Staggers) so will see if this has any effect.

He is in his stable just now and has been getting more vocal when he wants more food. He has never had it so good 3-4 leaves of hay a day :eek: and kicks the hell out of the gate if he hasn't got any. Spoilt boy!!