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Shirley A. Johnson
Member
Username: Shirl
Post Number: 34
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 1, 2003 - 4:09 pm: |   |
Dr. O., I've read all the proper sites, but still don't have a clear explanation of why my 20 year old mare with Cushing's/hypothyroid isn't shedding. She is on 1-1/2 mgs of Pergolide, 1-1/2 scoops of Thyro L. She has always shed out prior to this year. Any thoughts? Thanks much Shirl |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 8062
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 2, 2003 - 6:05 am: | |
Shirley, would you go fill out your profile information so I can have a little background on your horse and his current management? When you have that completed, post a message here and it will joggle a response from me.
DrO |
Shirley A. Johnson
Member
Username: Shirl
Post Number: 35
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 3, 2003 - 1:22 pm: | |
Dr O.
My profile is completed if you'd like to read it before answering my questions. Thanks much.
Shirl |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 8078
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 4, 2003 - 4:34 am: | |
Got it, we have many horses around here that have just begun shedding, and your latitude is similar. If many of the horses around you are shedding perhaps your horse is just a little late.
I think it is important to understand the pergolide does not relieve the symptoms of Cushinoid disease 100%. Also the progressive nature of the disease usually means increasing doses as a horse ages and eventually loss of control of the serious effects of this disease(depression and weight loss) will happen.
If long hair and warm weather is your only worry however, a good set of clippers is cheaper and more effective than more pergolide. YOu should have your horses checked for parasites as 4 times a year may not be enough unless other management is optimum. Remember to check just before deworming and not just after.
DrO |
Shirley A. Johnson
Member
Username: Shirl
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 4, 2003 - 10:01 am: | |
Dr. O.
Thank you for your information. That is 'sort of' what I thought, and I do have someone lined up to clip, if she does not shed more in a couple of weeks. Weather here has been 90 one day, next 58 - Thanks you again. Shirley |
Diane Edmonds
Member
Username: Scooter
Post Number: 129
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 6:53 am: | |
Hi Dr. O. is there any reason why a horse
doesn't shed all the way out other than cushings? It isn't the weahter as it has been very warm and humid. Thanks |
Diane Edmonds
Member
Username: Scooter
Post Number: 130
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 6:54 am: | |
Sorry I posted wrong I guess it's been awhile. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10603
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004 - 7:49 am: | |
That's OK Diane. Poor shedding and hair coat are also associated with parasitism, poor nutrition, and possibly confusing lighting situations. For instance a horse that was under lights at night all winter then discontinued in the spring, particularly if brought into a dark stall in the afternoon, might think days were growing shorter and cold weather coming.
DrO |
Diane Edmonds
Member
Username: Scooter
Post Number: 131
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004 - 9:38 am: | |
Thanks Dr. O. I believe his nutrition & worming are in order, and he was not under lights this winter. I have 3 other horses that are slick and shiny. Here is a little history on him he is a 16 yr. old arab x, he foundered approx 2 yrs. ago I believe because I let him get to overweight. He is in good weight now and barefoot since altho he seems foot sore right now but definately not founder I don't think as no parking out or bounding pulse. He doesn't drink or urinate excessively, but when he does urinate he doesn't seem to go much. (I am having vet out to clean sheath) He has always thought he was a stallion and actually breeds the mares (gelded at 2)He don't have stallion aggressiveness and is very well behaved under saddle and in the pasture, so as he breeds the mares I have never had to have his sheath clean. I just wasn't sure if they (wanna be stallions) still have beans or they leave in the process of breeding. He was wormed with zimectrin gold the end of march and with zimectrin the end of may. He got a VERY thick coat this winter and started shedding normally the end of March, but the last of his winter coat won't leave it is soft and shiny, this is not spotty whole body, but definately too thick as he is very hot in this weather. Yesterday I gave him a bath to see if I could scrub it off some and maybe a little let go but not much. 2 questions I guess (1) does this sound like cushings?, (2) If he is having problems urinateting completely could this cause theses problems? I am going to start with the sheath cleaning and a wbc to check his glucose etc. but any knowledge you have on this would be appreciated. Thanks |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10614
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 10, 2004 - 7:46 am: | |
Let me anwer your questions in reverse:
(2) The primary sign of difficulty urination would be straining and not producing urine, do you see this?
(1) Yes this might be the beginning signs of Cushings but whether it is or not the treatment is the same: clip the horse for his comfort.
When you have blood work run be sure to run a complete CBD and panel of chemistries that check kidney function and liver.
DrO |
