--- In EquineCushings@..., "Jean" <brucezajac@...> wrote:

How do I know if I am dealing w/ an abscess or laminitis flare up. Yesterday we turned Lady out and when she came in both her front feet were hot. Thought for sure we were dealing w/ laminitis. Today she stayed in and when I arrived this evening, the original foot was Hot and the other was back to being ice cold. Abscess=warm soaks. Laminitis=icing. Please help me determin which direction to go w/ her. Still waiting onthe vet to draw blood. Farrier is due out Thurs for regular appointment. Should I start doxy as a precaution of the Lyme returning??
Thank you for helping me sort this out.
Jean and Lady
CT 2005

Hi, Jean - any response in the warm foot to the hoof testers? Sometimes that can help determine if there is an abscess (though not always). Realistically speaking, if there is a laminitis flare-up, it is too late for icing to do a lot of good once they are lame - icing really does its job as a preventative (ie if they get out on grass, or you know they have had access to another laminitis trigger). If it were me, I would get blood drawn for Lyme asap (I know you are waiting on that) - in the meantime, I would indeed start her on doxycycline. Don't fret for now about whether to soak or ice; (I know it is impossible not to fret, but do your best) - see what the farrier has to say Thursday, and keep monitoring the heat in the feet.

Keep us informed.

Jaini(BVSc)Merlin,Maggie,Gypsy
BC09
EC Support

How do I know if I am dealing w/ an abscess or laminitis flare up. Yesterday we turned Lady out and when she came in both her front feet were hot. Thought for sure we were dealing w/ laminitis. Today she stayed in and when I arrived this evening, the original foot was Hot and the other was back to being ice cold. Abscess=warm soaks. Laminitis=icing. Please help me determin which direction to go w/ her. Still waiting onthe vet to draw blood. Farrier is due out Thurs for regular appointment. Should I start doxy as a precaution of the Lyme returning??
Thank you for helping me sort this out.
Jean and Lady
CT 2005

Oh, nuts! Meant to add a link to info on seasonal rise. Here it is:

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/sHtZTR50KJ8Z5verikPqoCk3LV0AQfiHKTNe3hybUexa2bUiUGKOHsZW-r_fwsTgree7e9eeWLfPZIzEDuZuIAaAcd-7nguH1ohCAQ/Cushings%20Disease%20-%20PPID/Seasonal%20influences%20on%20ACTH.htm

Sorry!

Jaini(BVSc)and crew
BC09
EC Support

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Jean" <brucezajac@...> wrote:

Is it already time for a seasonal rise?

Hi, Jean - The seasonal increase in ACTH in normal horses starts in late summer or early fall, and continues into December, starting to decrease sometime around the shortest day. Cushings horses may possibly have earlier and more prolonged increases in ACTH - this lurking underlying problem then becomes clinical when something else tips the balance (even something like reduced exercise, or cold-induced response laminitis) So, in a normal horse, February should be a time of decreasing ACTH - in a Cushing's horse, the ACTH may still be high. Good plan to check the ACTH and Lyme titre.

Keep breathing!

Jaini(BVSc)Merlin,Maggie,Gypsy
BC09
EC Support

Hi Jean,
As I'm in RI, I deal with Lyme pretty regularly. It can pop up at any time. What I've found is that the first time you see it/test positive for it you need to hit it hard and long. Use the upper limit for treatment doseage (if I remeber correctly 10 mg/kg) and treat until symptoms are gone, then continue for another two weeks. The longer the symptoms were present before treatment was started, the longer it can take to resolve. And the more likey there will be long-term issues.
The first time Nappi tested positive for Lyme, and he'd tested negative periodically before, I ended up treating for approx. 5 months. We alternated with a four week course of doxy, followed by a 3 week course of IV oxytetracycline, followed by a couple more months of doxy. Luckily, he had no digestive issues with the atbx. He also had no more issues of lameness from there forward and all titres/western blot came back negative.

lavinia, both Nappi and George over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
EC Support Team

In addition to the .5mg pergolide she is on previcox (now daily), was as needed.
Is it already time for a seasonal rise?
Will have vet test Lyme and ACTH.

> Doxycycline also has anti-inflammatory action - might be worthwhile talking to your vet about it.

Jean and Lady
CT 2005

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Jean" <brucezajac@...> wrote:

Just when I thought I knew what direction to go, someone changed the game :(. Pleaase advise. Now this sounds like laminitis flaring up.

Hi, Jean - Like Lavinia says, I would wonder about Lyme flaring up. Also, is she still on .5 mg pergolide once daily? ACTH was nicely under control in April, but I wonder if her seasonal rise has escaped the .5 mg.

Doxycycline also has anti-inflammatory action - might be worthwhile talking to your vet about it.


You and Lady have been doing so well - very disheartening for you to have this set-back. Keep breathing, and hang in there.

Jaini (BVSc)Merlin, Maggie, Gypsy
BC09
EC Support

I emailed the vet today, to see if thats what she might think also. Is it common for it to pop up again at this time of year?

Jean and Lady
CT 2005

-What is the status of the Lyme with her? Maybe that is rearing its ugly head again?

Now this sounds like laminitis flaring up.

Hi Jean,
Sorry Lady's having such a time. What is the status of the Lyme with her? Maybe that is rearing its ugly head again?

Lavinia, both Nappi and George over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
EC Support Team

I have been soaking Lady's left foot assuming abscess since Thurs. After pulling the shoe (Wed) she was walking somewhat better. temp of foot has decreased since Thursday, still pulses. Suddenly today (Sun) both front feet are similarly warm and both are positive for pulses! Her temp is 101.9. Just when I thought I knew what direction to go, someone changed the game :(. Pleaase advise. Now this sounds like laminitis flaring up. Thank you