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Member:
Lmsenus

Posted on Thursday, Jan 6, 2005 - 2:41 pm:

Dr. O,
I'm dealing with a (slightly) strange problem with my geriatric half-arab gelding. Sam will be 27 next month, and I've had him since he was 15. Three winters ago, he began to shed out his luxuriant, yak-like winter coat in December. I had the vet look at him, and she ran a variety of blood tests and told me he was slightly hypothyroid but not at a level that required treatment. Last year, he also shed most of his winter coat in December/January.

This past spring, he did not totally shed down to his typically thin summer coat. He was fully yak-like again by Halloween. And he is now (for the third year) shedding again... not a little, but enough-hair-to-stuff-a-sofa shedding. I also noticed that when his coat gets damp, it is slightly wavy (along the mid-line of his back). He also tends to get sweaty when nobody else in the barn seems hot (and he's not blanketed, except by mother nature ;-) )

His appetite is normal and his weight is good. I have his teeth floated twice a year and he is wormed every 8 weeks on a rotating schedule of ivermectin/strongid/panacur. He gets regular turnout with the other "senior citizens" of the barn and has not shown any behavioral changes.

I am wondering if I am seeing the first signs of Cushings in my old friend, or if something else is going on -- after reading your articles I don't think he's really hypothyroid. Is it worth calling the vet for this?
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Friday, Jan 7, 2005 - 1:14 am:

In a word, YES! That's what I'd have to say. My QH mare is a 24 yr old easy keeper who became steadily duller and disinterested over the past couple years. I began suggesting testing for Cushings then because I noticed guard hair and 6 inch long hair down the backs of her legs that she did not give up in spring. Three different vets were certain that she "just didn't look like a "Cushings horse". My vet finally tested for Cushings last Nov. - "just" as she put it, "to put your mind to rest." Well......let's just say that she's been on Permax for a little over a month now. I notice her moving around a lot more now and showing a lot more interest in life. Subtle changes, but I know my horse - I leased her mother, and bred for her 25 yrs. ago. If you are experiencing that "sneaking suspicion" go ahead and test. If you're wrong, then you've ruled something out.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jan 7, 2005 - 8:57 am:

Hello Lisa,
I agree this is likely Cushingnoid Disease. For more see Equine Diseases » Endocrine Disorders » Cushing's SynDrOme and Pituitary Tumors. I think after reading the article you can decide better when it is time to call the vet.
DrO
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Friday, Jan 7, 2005 - 11:56 am:

Hi Lisa and All, I agree with Dr. O ; read the information provided, but never let the words: "don't LOOK like Cushing's" fool you. My horse went undiagnoses by my old vet for well over 2 years for that reason. New vet got her tested immediately, and you guessed it: Cushing's big time. The best, Shirl
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