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  Discussion on One AC will coat grow back?
Author Message
New Member:
dharris2

Posted on Monday, Sep 13, 2010 - 11:56 am:

Hi Dr. O and everyone,
I am a new member. I read the info on the sight concerning AnhiDrOsis and One AC and I'm in need of some advice regarding the ONE AC.
I have a senior pony that stopped eating her feed this passed July and was very lethargic. The vet came out 3 X's and came up with various diagnoses' that did nothing to improve the situation. They concluded that she is old and should be put down.
I went on the internet and came up with the diagnosis of AnhiDrOsis as my pony had all the symptoms: not eating, flared nostrils, high heart rate, lethargy. I proceeded to make her comfortable during the heat waves we had in Vermont: night turnout, hosing, fans ect.
I also started her on ONE AC which worked fine except she shed her coat and is still shedding and it's Sept. (She probably has Cushings and doesn't shed her coat completely). I called back to Arizona where One AC is made and they said to reduce the dosage.
My concern is her being able to grow a coat for the winters we have in Vermont.
Do you think I should stop the one AC? Has the One AC confused her shed/hair growth cycle?
Thanks,
Debbie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 13, 2010 - 7:29 pm:

Welcome Debra,
I have a few points to make backing up to the diagnosis.

First, the symptoms you list are general for hundreds of diseases and so I have remain uncertain your horse has anhiDrOsis, especially seeing that you are from the state of Vermont. This is a bit northerly for the disease. On the other hand many horses effected by Cushing's have trouble with overheating in the summer if there coats are not cut back.

Second is that there is no well established scientific evidence One AC is effective for AnhiDrOsis and I don't find it a likely explanation for the shedding. Cushing's horses always shed out late in the season and some are later than others and the vast majority of these ponies will grow back a heavy winter coat.

Lastly, for more on better managing your probable Cushing's pony see HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Endocrine System » Cushing's SynDrOme and Pituitary Tumors.
DrO
New Member:
dharris2

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 - 1:23 pm:

Hi Dr. O,

I forgot to mention that my pony also had the symptom of "dry coat" which is in fact an alternate name for AnhiDrOsis. The vet did ask me if the pony sweats and I answered no thinking that not sweating is a good thing. The vet had no comment on the no-sweating.
When I read about AnhiDrOsis I quickly learned that not sweating is not good. That the cooling system has shut down.
I also forgot to mention that when I began treating her for heat stress : night turnout, hosing, fans ect.she immediately improved. She's eating her feed and she's much more lucid.
I know Vermont is known for it's harsh winters and cool summers but that was not the case this year. We had an especially hot and humid summer.

Regarding the shedding, I would think that the ability to shed their coat would be part of the cooling system and that the One AC promotes sweating as well as shedding.
Anyway, thanks for answering my question regarding her ability to grow back her heavy winter coat.
Debbie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 - 7:47 pm:

The critical question would be, "what was your horse's body temp during the nonsweating episodes?" Almost all horses during the summer will respond to your heat stress moves, in fact they are a regular part of the change in management of our horses in summer (and recommended in the article on Summertime care). Summer is much harder on the older horse particular those that are effected with Cushings which is why we recommend early in the season clipping (see article on Cushings).

You want to believe in this One AC and your horse has improved following beginning treatment but understand there is no current objective proof this product does any of the things you say but many of the management changes you did would also cause a horse to be more comfortable in the heat. But to be fair I cannot say the medication doesn't help. I know many folks in Fl with anhiDrOtic horses that did not have success with One AC.
DrO
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