Cushings Disease

Hello everyone. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with pergolide in treating cushings. My 26 year old quarter horse Mable has just been diagnosed and put on pergolide. Anyone use it and if so did you have good results? I have read alot about it ,,but its always nice to get as much input as you possible can. Mable was started on 1mg and got lethargic and refused to eat, My vet stopped it for 2 days and said that we will re start it again and cut the dose in half and see how she does. I know there can be a big trial period. UGH! I also heard of Vitex Plus,,herbal treatment...but honestly was afraid it wouldnt be as effective. I want the poor girl to be comfortable. Her ACTH level was 650!! She was eating massive amounts of hay but still lost about 100 lbs in a month. Does not shed her coat properly, excessive urination, fat deposits above eyes..etc. Started to add corn oil to her pelleted feed to help her gain her weight back. This is the oil my vet recommended..anyone use any other oil? Sorry that I am just babbling on..any input on pergolide and cushings would be greatly appreciated!!

Sometimes it can take a few tries to get the Pergolide adjusted for a horse like Mable; who sounds like she really does need it.

Here's a couple links that might help you.

Dr. Kellon's website with lots of great information on IR, EMS, Cushings.

Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Information#

This is Dr. Kellon's Yahoo Equine Cushings Group. It's free to join, ask questions, and research.

EquineCushings : Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance

Any horse with metabolic issues is also managed with a very strict diet. That means absolutely no grain and no treats with sugar in them, including carrots.

Hay should be testd for WSC value but that's hard to do if one can't buy their hay by the season

I have a horse with insulin resistance and another one with Equine Metabolic Syndrome. These two diseases typically don't require drugs, just a grazing muzzle or dry lot and strict diet.

My friend had her Paso Fino on Pergolide the last 18 months and it did help; I can't remember the dosage but it was a lot more than your Mable was prescribed.

Her horse had both cushings/IR, ended up having abscess on top of abscess in his hooves and she's pretty sure had developed pneumonia judging by what the vet had said. He was dealing with too many things that couldn't be helped as his immune system was so weak, so she sent him on to his ancestors in January.

I'm not trying to put a black cloud over you, I just want you to be aware of what MIGHT happen and to not brush anything off, no matter how many times you might have to call the vet.

Hugs to you and Mable who must be just adorable to have the name Mable

I'm old enough to remember the old Carlings Brewery beer commericial "Hey Mabel! Black Label!" That was my first thought when I read Mabel's name

I had a mare diagnosed at about the age of 22. Her first sign of the disease was dripping sweat in 0 degree weather. (I know how that feels)
She was on Permax until she passed at 34 from something else. When she started on it it was like the fountain of youth. She was not IR.

Good luck with your horse.

I have a couple of clients who's horses are on Pergolide & claim it's done wonders. I have heard good reports generally on it too but know it doesn't always work & all drugs & such have 'side effects'. I also have a few clients who's horses are on chasteberry instead & claim that works. One of them also tried Chia seeds for a while, but didn't think much of it & went back to chasteberry. All the horses in question do look a bit perkier & happier to me when I see them for a trim. The disease isn't cureable though, so all these treatments only treat symptoms to help manage & slow the progression of the disease.

I know a lot of horses that did great with pergolide. One of the down falls is you and the vet sometimes have to play with the dosing for a bit to figure out what will work for your horse.

Thank you everyone!! Mable is not IR. We had her tested. Also..her hay was tested...which stands pretty good. She is on Sentinel Senior pelleted feed..seemed to be the best I could find for low carb/low starch. And she has been removed from all her lovely treats. I guess waiting to find the right dose of pergolide to work is the hardest part. :( Just want her to put on a little weight. I am very fortunate with such high numbers that she has not foundered. And WALKINTHEWALK - Mable is adorable...she has wonderful puppy dog eyes!! Want her to be healthy for her last few years..keep your fingers crossed!!! And thanks again!!

I've started my gelding on it a few weeks ago, of course to soon to see any difference.
The cheapest place I've found is thrivingpets.com if your interested.

If you can find a source close enough to supply you copra feed (coconut with most of the oil pressed out) can be used for cushing and IR.
Won't bore you with details on it since the internet will supply far more than I can pull off the top of my head.
I have my two on it just because it's a great non hot feed (they don't "need" it). They love it and I've seen it fed to old horses that are low on teeth since it can be mixed with enough water to make sort of an equine slurpy (can be fed dry or wet). It's the only thing I've ever fed that even after it's all eaten they lick the smell of it off the trough .

Hope everything works out well.

Have had 6 Cushing's IR horses, my 2 now have both been diagnosed with IR one of then has Cushing's. We feed only tested hay, triple crown lite pelleted ration balance, and BEET-E-BITES treats. I am just starting the prascend on the Cushing's horse, will monitor lab work to get the dosage correct. Trying to avoid any laminitis issues. I have had sucess with all of my horses if I stick to the pergolide and monitor the diets!