Hi, Coral - excellent job getting those pictures and the case history up, because that information tells us a lot. 

Time to go back to the DDT/E (Diagnosis, Diet, Trim and Exercise)

Diagnosis: You never really did get a diagnosis on Poseido.  If I saw one sample of abnormally low insulin, I would just assume that the blood was mis-handled.  Texas in July is pretty warm- it wouldn't take long for the insulin to degrade if the blood were sitting on the counter at the vet's office, or sitting in the vet's truck.

Here is what is needed:  Single blood pull, non-fasting (means feed hay only, not grain, though). Ask for insulin, glucose, leptin and ACTH (to check for Cushings). ACTH goes in the purple-topped tube; blood for insulin/glucose/leptin goes in a serum separator or red-topped tube.  Get your vet to send it to Cornell.  IMPORTANT: the blood needs to be put into a cooler with ice (but not touching the ice), then driven back to the clinic asap and spun and separated asap.  Then the serum and plasma are frozen overnight (or for several nights if the blood is taken on the weekend); send to Cornell via overnight courier. Info here: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/EquineCushings/files/Blood%20Testing%20for%20IR%20%26%20Cushings%20Disease/Sending%20Blood%20Work%20To%20Cornell/

 

  Click on "Equine Cushings pdf.

As a vet, I can speak from experience that the first few times I did the blood work on my own horses, it felt like the most enormous pain in the a** - so if your vet raises the ol' eyebrows and looks at you like you are insane, you can offer to drive the blood to the clinic yourself, then stand over the techs as it is spun and separated.  In no time, it will be completely routine for them to handle the blood that way, as it is now for me.  I can't imagine what I was so flustered about the first time or two.

Diet:  Excellent that you are starting the emergency diet.  I will just point out that the emergency diet is temporary.  It is pretty important to get your hay tested (use Equianalytical labs and ask for Trainer # 603); and it is very important to get the supplementary minerals into him - but you won't know what they are until your hay is tested.  In the meantime, I do hope you are soaking Po's hay. Make sure you add the salt, vitamin E, magnesium and flax as well.  And, unfortunately, no pasture.  Since he is footsore, and in the pictures I can see rings in the hooves that indicate he has been having on-going bouts of laminitis, pasture is a complete no-no.

Hi Coral,

Kudos to you for just hunkering down and tackling the feet yourself. Yes, perfectly fine to limit his turnout space for now while he starts to heal. You can use rinsed/soaked/rinsed beet pulp as a carrier for supplements. Most horses like it, although some find it an acquired taste and a few won't acquire the taste no matter what. Ontario Dehy Balanced Timothy Cubes are another safe option. Stabul 1 from Nuzu feeds, available s/o thru tractor Supply stores, is another option.

You can look in this file for a list of people who can help you properly mineral balance Poseido's diet once you have the analysis back:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/EquineCushings/files/7%20Help%20with%20Mineral%20Balancing/

Open the folder getting Help with Mineral Balancing.

If you would like some specific input on the trimming just let us know. I took a look at the pix - there are things that need attention but overall his feet are in much better shape than many we see here.

Can you please take a moment before hitting send to delete the post you are replying to - helps us find the new material more quickly and keeps the posts from becomeing endless reams of repeat info. TIA.

Lavinia, Dante, George Too and Peanut
Jan 05, RI
EC Support Team

"How do I get the salt, flax, and vitamins down him if he turns his nose up (cuz he totally will)?"

Hi Coral-- I have been able to get Cory's flax and salt into him by using PhytoQuench in a few ccs of water. I have to use flax oil, because he totally will not touch ground flax. The PhytoQuench has such a strong odor that it masks everything, but Cory thinks it tastes great. Just syringe it in with 60 cc catheter syringes. You can find inexpensive ones in quantity on-line. They don't last long, however, and nothing is more frustrating than trying to get supps in with a stubborn syringe.

Deb and Cory in NC
July 2012
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ECHistory5/files/Deb%20Funderburk%20in%20NC/
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ECHistory5/photos/albums/1275105710