he needs pergolide and a balanced diet
Posted by Dr Thunes on 6/15/2009, 11:16 am, in reply to "Ok I thought I was the queen of getting thin horses fat, need help"
128.120.218.130
Here is a nice explanation of how cushings effects adrenal hormones which can result in weight loss. It was written by Dr.Noel Dybdal, Equine Research Laboratory, UC Davis, California and was pucblished in the schools Horse Report.
"The ATCH hormone controls the production and secretion of cortisol, a steroid hormone secreted from the adrenal gland. Cortisol causes a number of physiological responses including the reduction of inflammatory substances and an increased blood sugar levels.
A cyclical change in cortisol levels occurs throughout the day in nominal, unstressed horses. Very low levels of ACTH and cortisol are present in the late afternoon and evening, but in the early morning hours ACTH and cortisol levels start to increase in anticipation of the coming stress of the day. Horses with Cushing’s Disease exhibit no variation in the production of ACTH and cortisol because abnormal pituitary control leads to continuous production of these substances. The adrenal glands of Cushing’s horses are often three to four times larger than normal, indicative of increased stimulation of the adrenal glands by hormones being released from the abnormal pituitary gland."
I would start him on the pergolide now as that really is the only proven treatment for cushings it will slow down the growth of the pituitary tumor. His ACTH (the hormone produced by the pituitary) levels will rise as we go into the fall which will likely make his condition worse so getting it under control now so that you can get some condition on him before fall/winter is key.
Cushings horses need very tightly balanced minerals in their diets and often need supplemental levels of protein to maintain topline. Was he also tested for insulin resistance? Often the two conditions can go together. Several of the things you are feeding (LMF depending on type, mollased all in one, corn oil, wheat hay and possibly the alfalfa) may work against a cushings horse. If you are interested in created a balanced diet for him drop me an email.
Clair
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Message Thread:
- Ok I thought I was the queen of getting thin horses fat, need help - codymustang 6/14/2009, 1:22 pm
- Re: Ok I thought I was the queen of getting thin horses fat, need help - sm 6/14/2009, 1:23 pm
- I talked to some folks - equestqh 6/14/2009, 1:30 pm
- Re: Ok I thought I was the queen of getting thin horses fat, need help - Sharonreyea 6/14/2009, 2:59 pm
- if he has a voracious appetite - mary bluepony 6/14/2009, 3:20 pm
- As others have said - Gail Ivey 6/14/2009, 4:17 pm
- Re: Ok I thought I was the queen of getting thin horses fat, need help - Metallica29 6/14/2009, 4:57 pm
- Re: Ok I thought I was the queen of getting thin horses fat, need help - Tracy Jan 6/15/2009, 8:29 am
- Could he have sand in his gut? - BarbaraC 6/15/2009, 10:31 am
- he needs pergolide and a balanced diet - Dr Thunes 6/15/2009, 11:16 am
- We use a supplement called Forco - rocking horse ranch 6/16/2009, 11:52 am
- Probiotics might help. - Marialaina 6/23/2009, 10:09 pm
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