Cushings diesase (SP!)

[Anja]

can anyone tell my anything aboutn cushings diesase
thanks Anja

[KarlR]

I'm no expert but...from memory (might be wrong). :)

Syndrome characterised by growth of long curly coat, increased water intake and urination, disposition towards laminitis, etc.

Caused by cyst or growth causing pressure on pituitary gland (is that right - at base of brain?)

Management only - no cure - by drugs, often expensive, and limited efficacy.

There are probably a few links on it if you search around!!

[ponyvet]

Cushing's disease is a disease of older animals (usualluy though for every rule there are always exceptions). Simply speaking it is an overproduction of steroid hormones by the adrenal glands, hence it's technical term: hyperadrenocorticism.

The reason why this happens may be realted to problems in the glands themselves, or in the pituitary gland, which is part of the brain, and which releases hormones that control the adrenal gland. In horses it's most commonly a pituitary problem.

The excess corticosteroid produced has several effects including:

1. it makes the hair grow much longer and thicker (called hypertrichosis)

2. It suppresses the immune system so the horse is more susceptible to infection.

3. it delays the healing process, so any injuries take longer to heal.

4. The skin quality is poor so skin infections are likely

5. poor immunity and poor skin quality mean that parasites such as lice and mites tend to become a problem if not carefully monitored.

6. horses are more prone to laminitis (very complicated reasons why).

7. metabolism goes haywire, so horses often lose weight, but...

8. fluid accumulates in the abdomen so horses are pot-bellied, this is made to look worse by weakening of the abdominal muscles!

9. the increased cortisol is a hormone which also has some effects on behaviour so the horse may be slightly depressed, and may seem less aware of it's surroundings (people often say it's less responsive).

In dogs this is morecomonly associated with problems of the adrenal glands, so medical treatment is possible. In horses there is nothing that can specifically be done, other than to be aware of it, and keep an eye out for any signs of laminitis, or infections of any sort (including eye problems) and careful management of any wounds.

Typically the affected animal is a round (pot bellied) hairy pony which gets regular bouts of laminitis. The disease does eventually get worse, but affected ponies can go on for years with it.

[Cathy Reynolds]

Last sentence is the one to cling to if your horse or pony has been diagnosed. Buzz aged 30 has it on our yard, old age is catching up with him now, but until a few months ago he was still being ridden out. Also John Parker (British driving Society Chairman) has an aged pony with it which still has good quality of life. Wellmanaged it can be dealt with for quite a while.

Buzz is clipped winter and summer and wears a Boett rug in the summer. This keeps flies at bay and he seems quite comfortable.

[floppy]

i guess my dog was an excpetion..he died of cushings diesease aged 1.5yrs old :(
vets treated him for everything but cushings and it wasnt until we consulted a vet in england that he told us straight away that it was cushings nad sent over aload of medication..but it was too late (we were living in turkey at the time)
we even went at one point so poor sharky would get injections for wind because he was so bloated.

[Anja]

I think it was what my old pony died of he was at least 35 years old he was very hairy and fat he had no teeth he was a good boy though R.I.P cobber you must of had a good life (( he was what 13hhs but he could have jumped pre training high easily))

[ponyvet]

Floppy: it's not quite the same disease in dogs, but one so young probably had an aggressive tumour causing the problem - OR had underdeveloped adrenal glands, and in that case couldn't have been saved. I'm sorry to hear about it, it must have been heartbreaking.