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  Discussion on Cushings or Peripheral Cushings?
Author Message
Member:
Lorimich

Posted on Sunday, Feb 13, 2005 - 7:26 pm:

My mare was tested about 3 years ago and said to have cushings. She has long hair ( was curly before being put on permax), sweats in the winter and summer, doesn't shed out normally, has a thick cresty neck and fat deposits. She is 25 and founder only once before I purchased her when she was 2 and she is an easy keeper being more fat then thin. Is is possible she doesn't have cushings even though the vet did the test and said she was? The test was they drew blood at 5 PM on one day gave her a shot of something. The next morning they drew blood at 8 am and 12 pm. She started on 1mg permax per day and now is up to 1.5mg per day, however she still sweats and has long hair and when she sweats it gets curly. When also still have to body clip in the summer because her hair is still thicker than normal and she sweats a lot. After she is body clipped it grows back in 4-6 weeks. She eats plenty of hay and only enough grain to give her her supplements as she has arthritis. She gets glucosimne and MSM and Vit.C.

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Feb 14, 2005 - 6:25 am:

She sounds Cushinoid based on the hair coat and founder to me Lori. The fact that she is a easy keeper does rule it out. Keep your clippers sharp.
DrO
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Monday, Feb 14, 2005 - 10:36 am:

Dr. O,

Did you mean to say: "The fact that she is a easy keeper does rule it out"? Or should it be: "The fact that she is an easy keeper does not rule it out"?

Just trying to clarify.

Thanks,
Lilo
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2005 - 1:26 am:

Is there any chance she needs to be tested again in case she needs a dosage adjustment?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2005 - 7:04 am:

Sorry Lilo, does NOT rule it out is what I meant to write. Elizabeth, I am convinced that the dex suppression test is not a good way to judge dosage, there is so much variation between results and clinical signs. I would use control of clinical signs as the best way and with the only problem being a long coat I would recommend staying where she is at.
DrO
Member:
Lorimich

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2005 - 8:14 pm:

So you would recommend keeping her on the 1.5 mg of permax per day? What about doing another test?

Thanks
Lori
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005 - 7:16 am:

What were all the reasons for starting the Permax Lori? If it was just the curly hair and lab results, you might discuss it with your vet. Remember that Cushingnoid Disease is progressive and the horse may be worse than pre-Permax. If you and your vet make this decision I would discontinue slowly. Why do you feel the need to redo the Dex-suppression test?
DrO
Member:
Lorimich

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005 - 9:59 pm:

I put her on the permax because my daughter was showing her. She sweated really bad and when we washed her, her hair would curl up really bad. She was growing her hair back and we had to body clip every month which is a really big job. It was really hard for my clippers to cut through her hair because it was so thick and greasy where she sweated.
If she is worse does that mean I will need to increase her permax? If I take her off the permax what is going to happen to her condition? Doesn't the permax control the condition?
My vet was out today and he said it may be more cost effective to take her off. I have found places where I can get permax for much less than I have ever paid. We also show a lot and have 6 horse to take care of so I really want to avoid having to body clip her every month and also bathing her before. When you wash her if I can't get her clipped the same day because it takes her a long time to dry then she will roll in the sand.
I also need her to get lots of time outside because she gets stiff in the barn. I wanted to have the test redone because it has been 31/2 years and need to know if her dose is correct.
What about using Hormonise instead of permax if it will help with her haircoat?

Thanks
Lori



Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 - 8:49 am:

The use and effect of Permax is explained in the article, Equine Diseases » Endocrine Disorders » Cushing's SynDrOme and Pituitary Tumors. If it is controlling symptoms they will return when you quit. But symptoms vary from horse to horse. Since we do not know what symptoms it might be controlling I cannot predict what will happen if you discontinue the Permax which is why if you make this decision we suggest you do it slowly.

We have had several members try Hormonise and if you run a search you can find there posts.
DrO
Member:
Gafarm

Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 - 9:36 am:

Just thought I should let you all know that the company, Emerald Valley Botanicals, that makes the product formerly known as "Hormonize" has changed the name to "E-Vitex". If you are looking to purchase this you will have to look for it under the new name to locate it.
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