[Dressage Chick]

My pony has had a up and down immune system since last autumn, he`s had conjunctivits, weight problems and is now experiencing hair loss around his face. He has major heart problems aswell, grade 4 murmur, heart disease and it`s also deformed aswell, as a result he suffers from COPD, a cough, lethargic behaviour and tires easily. Isn`t he healthy! Lol
Anyway he is always the last to moult and he moults for the whole of the summer, he has had mood swings aswell but his feet are in good condition.
What do you think, could he be experiencing the early stages of Cushings?

[JBandRio]

He could be. What is his diet? Sounds like it's time to clean things up and boost his immune system. The only way to know for SURE if it's Cushings is to have him tested.

[MissBandit]

There are simple tests that your vet can take to rule out Cushings. Generally symptoms of cushings are a failure to shed out and uneven fatty deposits, among others. Even still, with that list of ailments I would have him tested asap.

[Dressage Chick]

Thanks both of you, we have a problem with blood tests with him, the Vet has to sedate him for his jab (yes it`s true) he also has to be sedated through feed for sedation.
Anyway, these are the circumstances, he is nearly 8 yrs old, un ridden, rescued from a yard who rescued him from another place, he`s unshown and unregistered, where we are Blood test costs around £100, with him £150 because of sedation on top. I`ve spoken to my mum and because he is just a pet, but a much loved one, apart from routine Vet bills, it isn`t worth having blood tests and what not to find out he needs medication aswell. You might think that this sounds uncaring but if he was to get ill it means that for him their would be a downward spiral which we wouldn``t want to put him through, he lives out 24/7 in a little herd where he is leader so has a lovely life, he`s given hard feed and hay and has all routine health checks and farriery as any other horse. So really tests and involving the Vet are a bit out of the question, don`t get me wrong he`s had the Vet out before for COPD, Diarrhea (sp?) and blood tests. But enough is enough for him, he hates Vets and so the next time he sees one it will be either routine rasping/vaccination or to be PTS. I`m well aware of what i`ve said and i`m ready for negative comments or possibly even argumentative behaviour.
How likely do you think that he has it, if it`s possible what cautionary treatment or other symptoms should i look out for. I thankyou for any co- operation in this difficult time.
Amy

[Sue B]

There are a couple of different things that you can do....but with all of the issues, I would have to question the application of Cushings drugs as they may not be beneficial to his heart issues.

The first thing is to boost his immune system to address the current issues. The primay things would be to feed him flax (linseed), a quality vit/min supplement and kelp (or Source).

The second issue would be to address mineral balance....in general most horses with these issues lack sufficient magnesium and selenium/vit E in their diet.

The other thing...and I would recommend some research and a talk with your vet about this....is to treat for Cushings with chastetree berry (vitex). This herbal treatment is the most natural to the body and addresses many issues with hormonal imbalances which are not necessarily Cushings, but may be producing similar symptons.

I am not here to judge what you are doing....but I have to question the quality of life of this horse. While you say that he is happy and doing ok....IMO, he cannot function normally as a horse should (and there is little hope of much improvement)....therefore, his quality of life should be under consideration from a horse's perspective...not from a human's needs or ideals.

[Dressage Chick]

Thanks SB, that was good info,
when i say his quality of life is fine, it is, he is normal apart from his illnesses that people hacking past would not notice, he still plays and does all normal behaviours and doesn`t struggle to do any normal things apart from his symptoms of the heart problems which our Vet is not concerned at all with, these only show as him getting tired more easily and a cough after exercise or strenuous activity such as rolling.
I will definitly try some immunity supplements or/and treatments, have you any reccomendations of specific makes that are particularly effective?

[ejforrest]

Informaton on Cushings disease:
Cushing Disease:
www.thehorse/viewarticle.aspx?ID=2946
Metabolic Syndrome:
www.thehorse.com/printarticle.aspx?ID=5547
A Closer Look At Insulin:
www.thehorse.com/printarticle.aspx?ID=5639
Medicine II--Thyroid/Cushings Disease:
www.thehorse.com/printarticle.aspx?ID=5431

[Dressage Chick]

I`m sure they`re good articles ejf but it says that only subscribers can access them?!?!

[JBandRio]

Yahoo Groups has an exellent Cushings group.

[Dressage Chick]

Well i was speaking to someone today about his newest problem of strange hairloss on his face and she said her horse had similar symptoms and they found out that he was allergic to Garlic, so i`m going to leave it out for a week or so and see if that makes any difference.