Cushings Disease

		Cushings Disease is caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland just beneath the brain. The enlargement of the gland, along with pressure on a nearby gland cause the symptoms of the disease. It is not curable, but it is treatable. Some classic symptoms include a long, curly, shaggy coat that does not shed well, if at all, in the spring and summer, and may grow earlier than normal in the winter. Horses with Cushing’s Disease have a higher likelihood of laminitis, and may have depressed immunity to other general ailments. Muscle atrophy may be present, especially along the topline – contributing to a sagging back. Fatty deposits may develop, especially along the crest, and around the tail. The place above the eyes that is usually sunken may not be so on a horse with Cushing’s Disease. General condition deteriorates. There may be a tendency to drink,eat, and urinate more than normal, while losing weight and condition. It seems to me that the most prominent and consistent indications of Cushing’s are the shaggy coat, and the prevalence of founder. The intense craving for water and frequent urination also seem to be mentioned a lot, although I never noticed it in Buttons until I started looking for it. Ponies are more prone to this syndrome, but it can affect any breed or sex of horse. Most affected horses are older, but it has been diagnosed in a horse as young as 7. Treatment does not remove or stop the growth of the tumor, but it fights the symptoms of the hormone imbalance. Buttons is on Pergolide once a day. It has helped her feel considerably better. She has been on the medicine since 2000. She still grows a lot of hair – looks like a wooly mammoth in the winter, and especially when she starts to shed in the spring. She is a little sway-backed now, has developed the crestiness, and fatty deposits on the buttocks. She has not had any acute flare-ups of laminitis, but the cumulative rotation of the coffin bone is pretty severe. Corrective trimming has kept her out of pain without any drugs. (other than Pergolide) There has been a huge change in her attitude since she has been taking Pergolide. She is more alert, more active, and much healthier.

Cushings Disease is caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland just beneath the brain. The enlargement of the gland, along with pressure on a nearby gland cause the symptoms of the disease. It is not curable, but it is treatable.

Some classic symptoms include a long, curly, shaggy coat that does not shed well, if at all, in the spring and summer, and may grow earlier than normal in the winter. Horses with Cushing’s Disease have a higher likelihood of laminitis, and may have depressed immunity to other general ailments. Muscle atrophy may be present, especially along the topline – contributing to a sagging back. Fatty deposits may develop, especially along the crest, and around the tail. The place above the eyes that is usually sunken may not be so on a horse with Cushing’s Disease. General condition deteriorates. There may be a tendency to drink,eat, and urinate more than normal, while losing weight and condition.

It seems to me that the most prominent and consistent indications of Cushing’s are the shaggy coat, and the prevalence of founder. The intense craving for water and frequent urination also seem to be mentioned a lot, although I never noticed it in Buttons until I started looking for it.

Ponies are more prone to this syndrome, but it can affect any breed or sex of horse. Most affected horses are older, but it has been diagnosed in a horse as young as 7.

Treatment does not remove or stop the growth of the tumor, but it fights the symptoms of the hormone imbalance. Buttons is on Pergolide once a day. It has helped her feel considerably better. She has been on the medicine since 2000. She still grows a lot of hair – looks like a wooly mammoth in the winter, and especially when she starts to shed in the spring. She is a little sway-backed now, has developed the crestiness, and fatty deposits on the buttocks. She has not had any acute flare-ups of laminitis, but the cumulative rotation of the coffin bone is pretty severe. Corrective trimming has kept her out of pain without any drugs. (other than Pergolide) There has been a huge change in her attitude since she has been taking Pergolide. She is more alert, more active, and much healthier.