ThreeCFarm
Well-Known Member
I just signed up for the Yahoo Cushings group, and will begin reading that asap. However, I thought I would also post my question here.
I have a 6 year old gelding that recently tested to have Cushings. My vet did a test that checks the thyroid, cushings and something else. Anyway, I don't have his results, so I can't answer any specific questions about what the results looked like, except for the fact that my vet said his body didn't even try to suppress whatever was in the shot she gave him. I saw the test mentioned on several websites as being the most accurate there is, though.
Everything I have read says that Cushings is caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, and that you can't cure it, only treat the symptoms until the tumor progresses too far to keep the horse comfortable. Needless to say, I was horrified when my vet said he had Cushings. However, she said that some horses have Cushings due to an overactive adrenal(?) gland, and that it isn't life threatening. She feels my horse more than likely has the non-life threatening form. She said he may be able to be taken off the Pergolide at some point. Apparently, my horse has a low rhythm, which is what makes her suspect the non-lethal form of Cushings.
I guess my questions is, has anyone had experience with this? Is there such a thing as a non-life threatening form of Cushings?
I have a 6 year old gelding that recently tested to have Cushings. My vet did a test that checks the thyroid, cushings and something else. Anyway, I don't have his results, so I can't answer any specific questions about what the results looked like, except for the fact that my vet said his body didn't even try to suppress whatever was in the shot she gave him. I saw the test mentioned on several websites as being the most accurate there is, though.
Everything I have read says that Cushings is caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, and that you can't cure it, only treat the symptoms until the tumor progresses too far to keep the horse comfortable. Needless to say, I was horrified when my vet said he had Cushings. However, she said that some horses have Cushings due to an overactive adrenal(?) gland, and that it isn't life threatening. She feels my horse more than likely has the non-life threatening form. She said he may be able to be taken off the Pergolide at some point. Apparently, my horse has a low rhythm, which is what makes her suspect the non-lethal form of Cushings.
I guess my questions is, has anyone had experience with this? Is there such a thing as a non-life threatening form of Cushings?