I have learned a great deal from this group in the last five years and my PPID horse Cato is doing well. Now his companion pony, Bambino, has a problem and I hope for some suggestions how to help him. I have requested to join EC History 8 to supply a case history for him.

Bambino is 16 years old, 9hh, and 295lb. He was foundered when I adopted him from a horse rescue six years ago to be Cato's dry lot/track companion. I rehabbed his feet successfully, got him some chiropractic treatments for results of an old injury, got about 50 excess pounds off him with diet and exercise, put him on the same diet as Cato (in proportion) and he has been healthy, happy and active since. Until last fall. The old injury, which had stiffened his hock, resulted in hip dysplasia,  discovered when his hip spontaneously dislocated. Vet reduced the dislocation once, but it popped right back out. Radiographs of the femur were normal. Since it was a painful procedure, we stopped there. I kept Bambino stalled for a couple of months until he was getting around remarkably well, then added a small dry lot that he has access to 24/7. He gets himself in and out, up and down, has significant shortening of the leg and a pronounced limp. He only walks, no trot. His attitude and appetite have never wavered, he's still alert and interested in everything, especially food. He gets tested orchard grass hay in slow feed nets, 2 1/2 to 3 lb., and 12 to 15 ODTB cubes, 400 IU vit E cap, 1 T. flax with minerals balanced to hay, a.m. and p.m. White salt block in his pen which he never touches.

Three weeks ago I noticed Bambino's crest seemed to be thickening and hardening. I attributed it to the tiny bit of green sprouting in his dry lot. Stalled him, sprayed and killed the green and removed anything he could reach through the fence. After about a week and two hard rains, dry lot bald as a cue ball, I let him back out, but his crest had not reduced any. Since this most recent hay tested at ESC 9.7, starch .5, I began soaking his hay, 1 hour, cold water. One week ago he had a hoof trim, I have turned that over to a professional barefoot trimmer due to the complications of his hip. His feet were tender before the trim, and have remained tender since. I have not seen him assume a founder stance, but don't know if he could, but he is not down any more than usual. His feet are somewhat warm, I can't detect his digital pulse, trimmer did but did not think it significant. I've added about 1/3 scoop of PhytoQuench a.m. and p.m. since his feet have been tender. At about the time of the trim, I thought his crest was possibly softening some at the ends, but now I am even more concerned as it seems to be thicker and harder than ever today. I had thought when Cato has his regular bloodwork in August I would have Bambino tested as well (eACTH, G/I, leptin).

Please, can someone tell me what I am missing? With no excess weight, no other fat pads, at this time of year and on this diet, I can't understand how Bambino's crest is swelling and his feet tender, even if he might be beginning PPID. I'm more inclined to trial him on pergolide than wait for test results, if it is possible that PPID could be causing this despite what pretty much amounts to the emergency diet . . . .

Thank you,

Melinda and Bambino

In 2010

Thank you LeeAnne. Sure couldn't have done it without all of your detailed directions!!

Melinda

Thank you so much Jaini. I needed to know if the symptoms despite IR controlling diet were possible, and obviously they are. Cato (leptin 2.4) gave me no experience with underlying IR and neck crests. I will call our vet now - he diagnosed Cato initially by pergolide trial - and hope he is willing to do the same for Bambino. If we can get Bambino's symptoms cleared up this way, then testing later with Cato will tell us where we are re control going into fall. Sounds like a plan.

Thanks again,

Melinda and Bambino

In  2010

p.s. Sorry, I seem to be unable to figure out how to delete parts of previous post.