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  Discussion on Long hair coat
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Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2000 - 9:06 am:

Can a horse with hypothyroidism have a long hair coat similar to a cushing's horse? Our horse has a very long, shaggy coat but is slowly shedding out to a thin summer coat. He also is underweight, depressed, has a poor appetite, flaky skin, wounds and infections heal slowly. He does not have, however, excessive urination, sweating or thirst or history of founder. He was treated for EPM with an experimental drug and has not been okay since. Is there any documentation out regarding side effects of EPM treatment?

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2000 - 2:22 pm:

Yes though documented cases of hypothyroidism are almost nonexistent in adult horses. What drug was used to treat him?
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2000 - 4:09 pm:

He was treated twice for EPM, the first with pyrimethamine and trimethroprim/sulfamethoxazole and the second time around, diclazuril. His condition has deteriorated since. Bloodwork shows inconsistencies in the liver/kidney but doesn't point to anything specifically. We are not sure whether to treat him for cushings or hypothyroidism. He does have food allergies, has had ulcers, low absorbtion rate, etc. When given rice bran, he excessively sweats in odd places. He has several strange things going on with him that the local vet cannot diagnose.

Posted on Monday, May 22, 2000 - 6:49 am:

Well, we know more about TMP/SMZ and in the horse: bone marrow suppresion with accompanying anemia, thrombocytopenia, and decresed in WBCs is reported. Birth defects have also been associated with it's use. In other species hypothyroidism has been reported, as has hepatitis. For more information see: The Horseman's Advisor: Equine Medications: Antibiotics and Antimicrobials: TMP SMZ.

I can find no adverse effect reports with diclazuril but this is due to lack of experience I am sure. For information on Cushings and thyroid disease see: The Horseman's Advisor: Equine Diseases: Endocrine Disorders.
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 22, 2000 - 7:50 am:

Thank you for your assistance.
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