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Discussion on Cushings and behavior changes
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New Member:
Mosttime
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 18, 2003 - 7:01 pm:
My 18 year old TB gelding was diagnosed with Cushings last Feb. He is on Pergolide 1 mg/day. Soon after starting Pergolide, he has begun to act very "studdish", increased interest in mares, aggressive to his fieldmates and stall neighbors. He is not aggressive to people, but has injured and marked other horses. He now must wear a muzzle in the field, or be turned out by himself. I have owned him for 3 years and know his previous owner who had since he was 3 years old. He has no history of this kind of behavior.
Has anyone out there had a horse that experienced behavior changes on Pergolide? My vet says that he likely has had Cushings for several years and now may just be "feeling good".
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Member:
Shirl
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 18, 2003 - 7:15 pm:
Hi Carole,
Your vet may be correct Re: your horse's behavior. My mare, on the other hand, was less aggressive on the medication, though she does have an occasional "Arabian Rampage" because she feels good for the first time in ages! Her biggest problems are with her legs/feet. After being in a small area for 2 weeks with tendonitis, I led her to the arena where she is boarded, never dreaming she'd act crazy, as she had been very quiet in her close quarters - Wrong!
She did every twist, turn, rear, buck, kick known to horses because she finally felt good. However, in the process managed to bruise a heel, resulting in an abscess! Will they ever learn?
Getting back to your horse, he probably feels extra good. Generally Pergolide is more inclined to calm them or make them a little 'DrOwsy'. Good Luck, Shirl
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 18, 2003 - 9:50 pm:
Not a usual reaction Carole. Try reducing the dosage by 1/2, with the approval of your vet of course.
DrO
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Member:
Mosttime
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2003 - 8:21 pm:
Thank you Shirley and DrO for your posts. Overall, I have seen the calming/DrOwsy effect you mentioned Shirley. That's why these aggressive outbursts seem so odd and out of place. We are rechecking his Dex-suppression in a couple weeks. This will be the first re-check since treatment started. I will definitely discuss the dosage level with my vet. Thanks again!!
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