Post by myfairlady on Dec 31, 2012 14:51:23 GMT
Hi...yet another post about the dreaded Cushings! I have a 5yr old section A diagnosed 18mths ago. I have done just about every bit of research on the subject as I possible can!
Her diet/grazing is very well managed yet has had to have her Pergolide/Prascend increased each time retested. Her original ACTH result was borderline, then last spring went up to 68 and has now (last mth) gone up to over 170! and her meds have been tripled! This poor little girl didn't have the best start in life and I'm convinced this is what has brought it on so young.
She had quite a bad episode of lami when first diagnosed, (and EMS, which was treated with diet and exercise and retested as negative) was drinking and urinating extremely badly, is v lethargic, pot bellied has bulging orbitals and has never been in season, or not since I got her as a 3 yr old! Her feet and teeth are always kept up to date.
I thought it was well controlled and sent her to a friends for a short while, 2-3 mths, when I started a new job, however she did have a very mild bout of lami in October. She is now back with me, has had the latest blood result of 170+, her coat, which has been nice and woolly in previous winters, is now longer and wiry and her neck seems to be totally losing condition.
She has always been an awkward little mare and I have put it down to her age in the past. However she will be 6 next spring and I don't think I can excuse her for being a baby for 3 years!! Her behaviour just never seems to improve, she has always been reluctant to enter the indoor or outdoor arena, hates being brushed, tacked up or having her feet picked out....and since she has been back she seems intent on walking backwards with my young daughter on her! I have maintained an optimistic outlook since she was diagnosed, however I am quickly coming to the conclusion that I am fighting a losing battle! She isn't particularly malicious in her antics but she is too much of a handful for my daughter! This is not the fairytale I had intended for my daughter's first pony! I have given her the benefit of the doubt for so long, I wonder if she is in pain or uncomfortable or just downright naughty and feel that I might just have some hard decisions to make!! I guess I should get her back checked but she is draining all my available resources!!
Anyone have any thoughts?
Her diet/grazing is very well managed yet has had to have her Pergolide/Prascend increased each time retested. Her original ACTH result was borderline, then last spring went up to 68 and has now (last mth) gone up to over 170! and her meds have been tripled! This poor little girl didn't have the best start in life and I'm convinced this is what has brought it on so young.
She had quite a bad episode of lami when first diagnosed, (and EMS, which was treated with diet and exercise and retested as negative) was drinking and urinating extremely badly, is v lethargic, pot bellied has bulging orbitals and has never been in season, or not since I got her as a 3 yr old! Her feet and teeth are always kept up to date.
I thought it was well controlled and sent her to a friends for a short while, 2-3 mths, when I started a new job, however she did have a very mild bout of lami in October. She is now back with me, has had the latest blood result of 170+, her coat, which has been nice and woolly in previous winters, is now longer and wiry and her neck seems to be totally losing condition.
She has always been an awkward little mare and I have put it down to her age in the past. However she will be 6 next spring and I don't think I can excuse her for being a baby for 3 years!! Her behaviour just never seems to improve, she has always been reluctant to enter the indoor or outdoor arena, hates being brushed, tacked up or having her feet picked out....and since she has been back she seems intent on walking backwards with my young daughter on her! I have maintained an optimistic outlook since she was diagnosed, however I am quickly coming to the conclusion that I am fighting a losing battle! She isn't particularly malicious in her antics but she is too much of a handful for my daughter! This is not the fairytale I had intended for my daughter's first pony! I have given her the benefit of the doubt for so long, I wonder if she is in pain or uncomfortable or just downright naughty and feel that I might just have some hard decisions to make!! I guess I should get her back checked but she is draining all my available resources!!
Anyone have any thoughts?