Hi all, just a quick question, my 21 year old gelding who has Cushings grew a very crappy winter coat this year. It’s strange, because it looks like you can see his summer coat underneath. Almost like he only grew guard hairs. We upped his Prascend this last summer, which has really helped, and he didn’t grow near the hair this year, or as early as usual.
His winter coat, although too heavy, was always fluffy, shiny, and soft. This year it’s coarse, rough, and he just looks crappy. He is no longer my plump fluffy pony, actually looks like a shadow of his former self.
I had fecals done last week, he’s clear for worms. Diet has not changed in the 6 years I’ve had him. He won’t eat any supplements, oils, etc, had always done just fine on good grass hay and a pinch of alfalfa.
Don’t think it’s related, but his neuro symptoms are much more pronounced over the last few months.
We moved this summer, and I think the move has been stressful for him.
I know nutrition and worms are the primary causes for bad coat, any suggestions on what might be going on with him?
Have you had your hay tested? Are you using a different hay supplier than the one before your move?
If his Cushings is being treated adequately then I would have to wonder if he needs some diet help. The diet that worked 6 years ago and in a different area may not be adequate for him now. Personally I would start with a ration balancer or a good senior feed - depending on his caloric needs.
My mare with Cushings grew a patchy coat like that in the summer one year. I called the vet out and was told it was from the Cushings. We adjusted the dose for her, but I couldn’t tell the difference until her winter coat came in normally. It was frustrating, but it did improve. The vet thought it was from the way Cushings interferes with normal hormone function (at least I think that’s what she said).
Prascend doesn’t cure Cushings, it just controls it - as best it can.
When you say “we upped his Prascend and it helped” - what do you mean by “helped”? It certainly seems like growing “less hair” and having a different winter coat is the same thing. The brain starts triggering the winter coat growth as soon as the days start getting shorter. A change in medication at that same point would definitely affect things.
If he is also losing weight - I would definitely have his ACTH levels checked again to see if the Prascend is enough/ possibly it’s too much although I’m not sure if you can know that by a blood test. Were there other symptoms that prompted the increase in medication? Does he eat as well as he used to?
Cushings is sadly a degenerative disease. It could be just the disease progressing.
Not to say you shouldn’t check other things - as well, but I’d definitely start with ACTH test.
After being on the Prascend for about three years at 1 mg, he had started to lose some top line, was drinking/urinating a lot more. He didn’t shed out as early as he had the year before. He had a mild episode of founder. The pot belly started to come back. He had been on 1 mg since he was diagnosed, and after talking with the vet, she suggested we increase him to 1.5 a day in June of last year. After a few weeks, the hair just fell off, fat pads were gone, he was drinking less, and seemed like a much happier pony. He was also on track with ‘normal’ horses with growing his winter coat. Before treatment, Jack wouldn’t shed out completely until August, and then start his winter coat in September.
We’ve tested and retested his ACTH several times, he always has normal levels. We decided to start treatment 4 years ago based on symptoms which was what Cornell recommended.
I still get my hay from the same supplier, had it tested this last summer, and is perfect for my borderline metabolic pony. I’ve always fed low sugar/starch just due to the fact that both my horses are prone to metabolic issues.
He eats very well, and has been getting quite a bit extra due to the unseasonably cold nights we’ve had this winter. No obvious weight gain, which concerns me, as normally by now, he would have exploded from the extra calories.
I’ve tried numerous supplements, ration balancers with this horse. He flat refuses to eat them, or will eat them for a few days and quit. I added in a half serving of my other horses ration balancer the other day to see if he would eat it, and he literally flung it out of his feed pan.
I’ve been in contact with my vet on Jack’s condition, she feels based on what I’m seeing and the worsening neuro symptoms we are probably seeing a progression of his disease. But, in my mind, I want to keep him as healthy and comfortable as possible until it’s time to send him on.
Great idea, except that we moved two houses down the same road! Lol. I suppose I should have made that clearer, but thanks for the suggestion.
Sadly that may be the truth. My guy really suffers in the fall and he rebounds in winter and spring. So crossing fingers that this was just a tough season for Jack and he’ll improve as the days get longer.
Cushings is hard. My pony always seems to be just a few months away from the euthanasia call. It’s day to day for the most part. This fall was almost the end and then he rallied. But I keep a close eye on him, especially his feet - which is where I see him suffer first.
Cushings IS hard. We suspect he had Cushings for awhile before I even got him, so I don’t know how long he’s actually been sick. I’ve been in the same boat wondering if the day is coming faster than I planned on, but then he seems to improve for a while.
His feet have been giving him issues, he seems footsore for a few days, but then I see him racing around in the cool mornings. The farrier doesn’t feel he has any laminitis going on right now, but he has had issues in the past. No real rotation yet, but I think that may be what does him in.
Jack is my first horse, he taught me to ride. Has been such a wonderful teacher for me. I owe it to him to do the best I can for him and it breaks my heart when he isn’t doing well. Most days I just tell myself that I will do what I can do for him until we can’t do anymore.
