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Dear Horse Mom,
Cushing’s is most common in horses over 20 years old but it has been seen in horses as young as 7 years old. Ponies can also get Cushing’s and they have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Cushing’s is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland functions for the production and regulation of hormones. The tumor itself is benign but the cells within the tumor produce excess amounts of hormones which creates an imbalance in the horses’ body.
The symptoms of Cushing’s are:
- Growth of a long shaggy coat of hair often curly and doesn’t shed in the summer. This can be accompanied by sweating and flaking of the skin.
- Sudden extreme thirst. This is usually accompanied by excessive urination.
- Development of a sway back stance and a pot belly.
- Filling above the eyes caused by fat deposition.
- A depressed sick looking appearance with dull eyes.
- Increased appetite but usually with no accompanying weight gain.
- Chronic laminitis.
- Loss of muscle over the top line.
- Compromised immune system.
After identifying the usual symptoms clinical testing can confirm the diagnosis. The most common test used is the overnight dexa-methasone (DST) suppression test. The best test to use for diagnosis.
The test requires a small sample of blood, then given cortisone, and a follow up blood sample be taken the next day. The blood samples are compared to see what the horses’ response is to the excess cortisone.
Once a horse is diagnosis there are treatments that can improve the horses’ condition.
Two drugs that have been used are Pergolide and Cyproheptadine. They have been effective in helping the horses’ condition improve.
Pergolide has been suggested to be the better of the two drugs. Research has shown it improves their clinical signs, as well as reverses of makes their dexamethasone tests return to normal in some, but not all cases.
The goal is to make these horses as healthy and comfortable as possible. Some of the effects Cushing’s has on a horse is it makes them more susceptible to infections, such as delayed healing, reoccurring hoof and tooth abscesses, sinus infections and chronic fungal, bacterial or parasite infections.
Pneumonia is even possible. The most damaging effect of Cushing’s is the reoccurring incidence of laminitis. Therefore initiating a careful health management and preventive treatment can help support and minimize the effects of Cushing’s on the horse.
Some of the things that can help your horse are:
- Provide a safe area for your horse to exercise and rest.
- Stick to a strict routine to help minimize stress.
- Avoid stressing your horse. The more stress your horse has the more hormones are produced in their body and their levels are already high.
- Keep water and feed in the same place with easy access.
- Clip your horse in the warm weather and blanket them when it is cold.
- Groom regular to minimize skin diseases. They can develop rain scald and ringworm.
- Trim hooves regularly. There is a tendency for reoccurring infections in the hoof (abscesses).
- Check teeth regularly at least twice a year.
- Avoid turning your horse out with aggressive horses.
- Make sure all necessary shots are given.
- Deworm regularly at least four times a year.
- Try to eliminate simple carbohydrates form their diet; corn, oats, barley. Feeding a pellet grain made with a forage base is better for them.
A proper diet and supplementation program can go along way in reducing symptoms of Cushing’s.
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Your horse will have more energy, reduced infections, allergies, inflammation, mood swings, irritability and risk of laminitis.
This is truly the most complete supplement for horses with Cushing’s. It addresses all the problems horses with Cushing’s have now and helps prevent future ones. It supports your whole horse.
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feeding the horse
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