New elderly pony

[MaryFlora]

A month ago, we (I like to share the blame with hubby ) took in an older mini, Charlie.

The family wasn’t sure of his age, but thought older and wondered if he may have Cushings. We decided we could deal with whatever he needed and were glad to have him. The vet was out two weeks ago, determined he was between 20 - 25 years, and took blood samples for PPID. Sure enough, he tested positive.

He is a calm and sweet little guy and fits in fine. His housing was a lean to with big horses and the family was happy to see him in a setting with a barn and small equines.

Charlie is on a pergolid compound once a day, a powder which he eats with 1/2 cup of Purina Senior which is PPID appropriate. All of the minis are on large, but dry, lots with no free grazing only upland grass hay.

Attached are a few photos showing Charlie and the curly thick coat often associated with Cushings. I did shave his neck to give some relief from our heat wave but with cold weather getting close, the vet also thought it best to let him be. Hopefully the medication helps next year with more normal shedding and then if needed, a shave.

Maddie and friends are growing their woolies but nowhere near Charlie at this point. Maddie’s coat is similar in length to minis but coarser.

 

[LostandFound]

That's some coat! But he looks cute, and the pergolide should make a big difference for him. I'm so glad you could take him in!

 

[HersheyMint]

What a sweet face he has. I'm so glad you have him and he fits in so good!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Oh my goodness. You have set yourselves a challenge. Looking forward to seeing him next year after he has been in your care!

 

[MaryFlora]

Thanks you all! I’ve never had a horse with Cushings so am hopeful and curious to see what changes occur over time. It will be interesting, Marsha, to compare next year with this year and will sure let you know!

In the meantime, he has very little muscle tone so we will be going on regular walks once the weather cools. It has been warm, in the upper 80’s with high humidity so not comfortable for a little guy in his fur coat. This weekend the temperatures are supposed to drop into the low 70’s with lower humidity so we should be able to start taking short walks and working up.

 

[Abby P]

Definitely being properly medicated should help with the coat as well as the lack of topline muscle and the pot belly! Those are all Cushing's symptoms so I bet you'll see a dramatic improvement. He looks like a doll - I love old horses.

 

[HersheyMint]

I look forward to hearing your relationship with him and how he will flourish under your care. I also love older horses.

I will see you on the walking/hiking thread

 

[MaryFlora]

Thank you Abby and HersheyMint!
Old animals have a special place don’t they?

 

[Eq-rvt-vts]

Just a heads up about compounded pergolide; it can be inconsistent enough to be ineffective. Your very best chance to get his PPID symptoms under control is to use Prescend.

 

[MaryFlora]

Thank you for the information! Will be seeing our vet in a week or so and will learn more.

Learning is good.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

My 20 year old Billy is getting quite a coat already. I shaved his belly yesterday and he seems a lot more comfortable. Of course, you will be colder sooner than where I am, but just a thought. That darn humidity is so miserable.

 

[chandab]

If you buy your compounded pergolide from a reputable compounding pharmacy, it should be fine, but be sure to get capsules to help it's stability and keep it safer for you to handle. The ECIR group usually recommends Wedgewood pharmacy (or used to, it's been awhile since I followed the group) and there is another that I used, but I have to look up the name, if I can still find it. [I used Thriving Pets without issue, but just read on the ECIR group that they do not compound themselves, but sell product compounded by compounding pharmacies.]

 

[1roadtoad]

How nice of you to take on an older wee one. Charlie is a very lucky boy. I've had a couple of horses with Cushings. I adopted a pony a few years back that had PPID and no teeth...not a one! I bet he was at least 30 when I got him. He was part of my little herd for about 3 years and I have to say he was one of the most gentle, sweetest animals I have ever known. I never regretted bringing him home. My first mini, Lady was diagnosed with PPID when she was about 24. She was on 1/4 tab of Prascend once a day for the last years of her life. I monitored what she ate, made sure she had really good hoof care and clipped her for the summer and she was good to go. I sure you and Charlie have many good, fun years ahead!

 

[MaryFlora]

Thank you chandab and 1roadtoad!

I do like the idea of capsules and will ask the vet if the pharmacy he orders from can provide. Now I use a syringe with the tip cut off and squeeze his dose straight into his mouth. Putting the small dose on his feed mostly worked but the syringe is the correct dose every time.

Thank you 1roadtoad for sharing your experiences with your little ones! I believe you shared about your elderly sweetie on the forum? He and Lady were a blessed little creatures to end with your care.

 

[Cayuse]

If you get Prascend pills, they hid really well in a peice of granola bar. I use honey ones, stick the 1/4 pill in and then roll it into a ball. Good luck with the little fella!

 

[MaryFlora]

What a great idea, thank you! One I would never have thought of - so many geniuses on this forum! Some even have two feet instead of four.

 

[1roadtoad]

Yes, you are right, I have shared stories about Lady on this forum. She was the best ever!! Thought I'd also share how I gave Lady her Prascend. I use to drill holes in about 30 (a months worth) Senican Low Sugar Horse Treats at a time and place a 1/4 tab of Prascend into the treat. Then I put them in an airtight container. I found it very convenient to have a bunch of her meds ready to go. In addition, when I would be away from home, my equine caretakers also found it incredibly easy to give Lady her meds. Lady looked forward to that little treat every night. Again, Good luck!

 

[MaryFlora]

Another great idea! Thank you 1roadtoad! I appreciate learning the different ways horse owners develop to get the meds where they need to go. Never too many ideas as every horse is different!