bren
Full Member
Posts: 297
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Post by bren on Nov 20, 2016 8:18:26 GMT
my daughters pony has just been diagnosed with cushings. Just wondering how other people found their ponies got on with the prescribed medicine and have people had to alter diet,lifestyle etc in the ponies care. cheers
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Post by catkin on Dec 13, 2016 15:19:09 GMT
I've just had a 20 odd year old pony put down who had cushings. I bought him knowing he'd had one bout of bad laminitis once in his life. This was caused by being kept in for a prolonged period when the owner was away and fed far too much. I knew I would have to be careful with him, but he was special enough to take this on. I had him from age 15 to 23. Actually he was never fat enough and I used to feed him as I would any laminitic with plenty of roughage and low carbs/sugar etc. He had one bout of laminitis with me (mild) when stabled at a show he hated. He was then fine for the last three years of his life when he became much hairier, was often hot and I could see was on the verge of going off his feet. He was tested at that point as positive for cushings and medicated accordingly. I had tests every six months and adjusted his prescription accordingly. He was even leaner by this stage but very happy. Then over the last six months he became intermittently lame and looked suddenly much older. The medication was no longer working. I could keep him reasonably comfortable on bute, but in the end decided that much as we adored him, his life was too restricted and actually there was no real future for him, so sadly had him put down. So, in short, I think you can manage them and I imagine if the pony is a bit younger, you could have quite a few productive/happy years ahead with the right management.
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Post by mylittlepony123 on Dec 13, 2016 18:27:37 GMT
Join on Face Book " Equine cushings disease horses" lots of advice on their forum
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Post by fanfarefan on Dec 13, 2016 18:30:00 GMT
it can be a massive change being diagnosed with cushings ,,, diet firstly is the most important thing to take advice on , as above , high fibre ,, low carbs and sugar ,,,, no carrots or apples ,,, and dont be lulled into thinking , well he looks ok ,,, another 1/2 hr on the grass wont hurt ,,, or he'll be ok on new grass ,,, by the time you see him a bit footy its too late ,,, and there you have another bout of laminitis again,,, treat as a laminitic ALL the time ,,,, but my biggest piece of advice would be NOT to have the flu vaccination ,,,, their immune system is compramised ,,, and the live vaccine can be very very detramental to them , and instigate laminitis ,,, learnt from experience ,, i wish you all the best ,,, we have managed to keep my sons pony going for 9 yrs with Cushings ,,, wehave had some very bad times with her ,,, but shes a stubborn mare and comes through every time ,,, but a lesser minded pony might not cope , its always quality of life not quantity sx
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bren
Full Member
Posts: 297
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Post by bren on Dec 15, 2016 20:57:11 GMT
Thank you for your replies. Vet comes back out this week for bloods. Initial readings were 143 so I am hoping the levels might have dropped. The ponies flu and tetanus are due in January so will decide if we should do it, cheers.xx
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Post by fanfarefan on Dec 19, 2016 17:42:59 GMT
the tetanus jab should be ok and is advisable to have ,,, it was the flu vaccine that was the problem,,, good luck sx
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