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Discussion on Cushingoid mare declining - need help
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New Member:
Jkiviat
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - 2:18 pm:
(reposting, I think I had this in the wrong place)
My 27 yo TB mare was diagnosed with Cushings over a year ago based on clinical presentation and general labs; no dex suppression test was performed. She responded well to Pergolide (1mg/day) until January when she began to DrOp weight and lose significant muscle mass. I switched her to Equine Senior (7 lb/ day) and she has free choice of grass hay, but continues to lose weight and is lethargic. I'm considering adding corn oil or a weight-builder supplement. Any suggestions?
Joy
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Member:
Shirl
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - 4:30 pm:
Joy,
Did you read the articles on this site regarding Cushings, Endocrine Diseases, etc.? Do if you haven't. I'd not feed the Equine Senior,(to much molasses) but instead, soaked Beet Pulp. It's filling and will help with the weight. Dr. O will chime in and give his expert opinion and advice.
Shirl
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 13, 2006 - 7:08 am:
Welcome Joy,
your experiences are typical for Cushings.
We have used Equine Senior on hard keeping older horses for years and were happy with the results. I do think low-grain products have logic behind them in some individuals so last autumn we switched to Triple Crown Senior in the 2 older (23y QH and 27y TB) horses we care for. Its main ingredients are beet pulp and alfalfa and it balances the Ca/phos for you.
Janette says she thinks they do better on equal weight amounts but it has been a very mild winter here. We have been happy with the change and if your horse has elevated glucose levels the change may be of benefit.
The article on Cushings outlines specific steps you should take if your horse is continuing to loose weight and has increasing depression, study the treatment and prognosis sections carefully. Many of the ideas there are also reinforced at Equine Diseases » Colic and GI Diseases » Weight Loss in Horses » Overview of Chronic Weight Loss.
DrO
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