Hi again...new member Kay from Alaska here...
I finished reading all the archived posts and now am wondering how
everyone's horses are doing since this list started. I feel great
empathy with you out there, and hope the horses are all doing OK.
To Chris, from a Feb. 24th post...you asked about how everyone was
doing with the emotional impact of having a Cushingoid horse. I
didn't
see anyone respond, but know that I have had lots of ups and down
with
this. At first, when Domino was diagnosed, I felt a little sense of
relief to at last know why he had been so slow healing and to
knowing there was the option of treatment. Then the inability to cure
Cushings hit me hard. That was almost a year ago, and Dom is doing
pretty well, except for the current mild laminitis (?) problem in one
foot. Naturally, I feel lots better when he is moving well...He looks
very good for a 22 yr old Cushings horse and has already shed his
winter coat and put on a little weight. He never has developed the
pot
belly, excessive drinking or urinating symptoms, but did get a wavy
mane this winter and for several years his coat growth/shed sequence
was out of step with other horses.
Someone, I forget whom, mentioned using a different pelleted complete
feed than Equine Senior and I would like more info on that, if
possible. I have fed Eq. Sr. for several years, as it became very
challenging to keep Dom's weight up during the winter. I do not like
the molasses in the Eq. Sr., but at least have some trust that Purina
keeps good control of the ingredients and production. Here in
Fairbanks, it is really difficult to get much in the way of quality
feeds. Shipping costs from the Lower 48 are high, too. I can buy Eq.
Sr. locally and year-round, which is a big reason I use it. It's been
a bit of a nightmare (no pun intended) to feed exactly what I want.
So, I'm interested in people's feeding programs with their Cushingoid
horses.
To answer a different question...I was told that the average life
expectancy of a Cushingoid horse from time of diagnosis was 2-4
years,
with laminitis and/or abscesses the most usual reasons for death. I
suppose a lot depends on how long the condition has pre-existed. Like
the rest of you, though, I'm hoping for a lot more years than that!
I'm really curious to know what Donna did regarding the mare Lady she
was considering purchasing...it did sound like Lady might be
Cushingoid, but I sure hope not.
Thanks for the space to chat...I hope all is well in your barns, Kay
