Tag Archives: cushings

Sam asks about their mare with cushings

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I strongly suspect this RMH mare has cushings. She is 22 years old, has been shown alot in her younger years.  Is the Mom of several great Rocky Mountain horses. I bought her in September, knowing her condition, and knowing she is the great granddaughter of Tobe, and Johnson's Toby, Blue Boy, Molly II, Johnson's Blue Mare.

First I want to do all I can to keep this mare healthy especially since she quickly became the love of my wife's life.   and second, would certainly like to have a foal out of her, if she is able to conceive again.

What would you recommend for this mare?

Thanks Sam

Hi Sam, I would definitely begin on feeding program as sson as possible to build upon when using any of our targeted support that will probably be needed at least for a short while.

Now, adhering to the program (see What to feed link below for review) regular RED CAL, Weight Check Oil and the Just Add Oats to make oats or any grain complete. (preferable oats!)

Alosn with this.. supplement for additional support with our "Critical Care" Hypothyroid Insulin resistant formula— it is pricey but may only be needed for a short while 2-3 months. Also consider our Gut Check product to support the gut through this. This would be the minimum. Also consider the Joint Check for not only joint support but for antioxidant support as well.

I'm hoping for the best so that she can again bless with a foal. Keep me posted Sam!

Thanks for asking and do take care! God Bless

Dr. Dan

Check out these helpful links:

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine: http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse? http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library: http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net: http://TheNaturalVet.net

Nancy with questions about feed and supplements for 33 Yr. Stallion

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Dear Dr. Dan:  

I was strongly advised not to feed my 33-year-old stallion oats because a lab recommended by _____________ diagnosed him with insulin resistance, yet ____________ State's lab did not.  

My vet has suspected he has had Cushings for a few years now because he has hair (not curly) that takes longer to shed in spots, lethargy and build up on his coat and elsewhere , frequent urination I think, 3-5 times in 3 hours.  I haven't had him tested for Cushings because I didn't want to drug him.  

After 20 years at the same stable, I had to move him to another private barn in June. One month before the move, I switched his feed from ____________ Sr. to _________ Sr. because of his insulin-resistance. He was actually burping while on ________.

Of course, I was questioning the nutritional value of the hydrogenated oils and other additives from the start in any of these foods, but was told pelleted feed with a beet pulp base was best for him. And not wanting him to be without flavor at this age, I also opted for the ____________, which includes 12 percent molasses (I thought it was a much smaller amount initially).   He has had skin allergies, bad resistance to bugs, and at times, difficulty breathing when dust is prevalent (another vet said he had COPD).   The alarming part is that he went from 850 lbs to 655, losing nearly 200 lbs in the past 3 months. The most he has weighed since the move is 680.

I have been supplementing his ____________ feed with 3-4 oz. of chia seeds, 2 teaspoons of non-processed coconut oil and other human grade vitamins like magnesium, calcium, celtic salt, kelp, vitamin A (he has only 40 percent of his sight) cosequin, msm, (2) drenamin in AM, Ration Plus and more.   He has frequent gas when eating, so it appears he is not be digesting properly.  Before I moved him, he was eating 13 lbs. of Tribute Sr.and finishing everything, as well as 7 flakes of grassy hay.  

When I switched to ______________, I started to feed him 8 lbs. senior plus 1 lb beet pulp, and 8 flakes of grassy hay (which he sometimes would quid). We increased his feed little by little and now he's getting 14 lbs. senior and 2 lbs. of beet pulp. Even now, he's having trouble eating that much and sometimes leaves 2-20 cups. He doesn't have any back molars that touch anymore so I used to find lots of whole oats in his manure.  The initial weight loss was probably due to the fact that he was so distracted by the new environment. The 90 plus degree weather didn't help either. He had been rejecting meals and hay, or eating just some of his food.  

The vet now says he needs more calories. I don't know how he's going to chew more or what will entice him. I've also tried hay cubes and chopped hay (seems uninterested).  The move has taken its toll. The barn owners also let their 27-year-old mare roam the aisle by his stall for exercise. He doesn't seem to react all the time, but does at times. This, I believe, could also be a contributor to stress.  

Bottom line – I didn't want to feed oats because of his lack of chewing ability and insulin or  Cushings problems. Can you say you have direct knowledge of less than 100 or several hundred of IR/Cushings horses on oats? Results?  Are there any additional precautions I should take with feeding oats? Whole or crimped?  What supplements can you recommend for this horse? How much weight gain might I see in a month or so?  

Thanks so much for your help Dr. Dan,
Nancy

Hello Nancy,

Bless you guys hearts you do have a lot going on it seems.

Please know that my feeding "program" and supplements are the foundation that has helped so many through the years. Hundreds of  horses with IR and Cushings situations have benefited from the program- that yes, starts with Oats.

www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com is a good place to start for information for you to "digest" as you make the needed decisions moving forward.

Know that, while I do suggest OATs, they are not enough alone and that is only Step One of the 3 steps of the program as you will see on the above link/site.

Here is an article I want you to read if not done so yet:
For The Health Of Horses Feed Oats, But That's Not All!
http://askdrdan.com/2009/09/19/for-the-health-of-horses-feed-oats-2/

Oh, and I prefer Whole Oats over the crimped unless the crimped are very fresh— crimped are only 6% more digestible and they tend to go rancid quickly.

On my pages of info, especially at the "What To Feed" link, within the articles, audios and videos you are going to see my disdain for any commercial feed (pelleted or any other type) beet pulp, flax and salt/mineral rocks/blocks.

So much of what you shared with me goes against "the grain" of  my foundational program and in my opinion is a source for these challenges you are now facing.

Our "GMO-FREE" Weight Check Oil is the best source for the good fats that are needed…
We ALL need good fats– and the key is a "good" product to provide.

I have spent a lot of resources to arrive at our Weight Check Oil product and formulation and am proud of the results it has provided. It is going to support healthy weight-it will help put on what is needed
or take off what is needed. As you will see on the What To feed link,  it is a component of the program along with the Just add Oats product that will meet your need for vitamins and more. (Also listed on What To Feed link)

With using our Weight Check Oil— there is no need to provide chia, coconut oil or any other sources of what you are seeking to provide- omegas etc.

I saw no mention about salt/mineral rocks/blocks, but our "balanced by nature"RED CAL  has to be provided and provided free-choice… All they will want… All the time. (24/7/365). Remove all other salt/mineral/electrolyte "sources".

The above components have helped many and many choose to add a little extra "targeted" support— our Aller Check product and  Health or Joint Check (i suggest Joint Check in your case), and of course, our Bug Check— that is much more than just a "bug" product— it provides benefits year-round!

Here is something that someone shared with me that you might garner something from:

http://askdrdan.com/2011/05/28/bob-laura-ask-about-22-yr-old-horse-w-cushings/

And here is someone that asks about how to feed oats to their older horse (soak overnight)

There is also a mention of "Senior feed" in here … ;-)

http://askdrdan.com/2011/04/18/pat-with-questions-about-feeding-his-30-year-mare/

I hope that the above links and info will provide you with some good info that will help as you consider our products/program and your next needed step.

As your time allows, please visit "The Library" link below and there is plenty more info available to you. You might even enjoy some of the audios that mention "live conversations" as there is often someone sharing their testimonial with me and I was fortunate enough to capture. And of course the Magazine link to have the articles within easy reach.

I do appreciate you considering our products and appreciate you contacting me. Please keep me posted!

Dr. Dan

Please note: I usually (if I don't forget to catch) remove references to names of outher brands and products as well as references to information shared personally from others to the person that is asking me questions. It is for those reasons you see blank lines in place of those references.

Toll free office: 877-873-8838
www.NaturalHorseVet.com
Don't forget our Pet & People products too!

Check out these helpful links:

The Natural Vet Blog,Search for answers:
http://www.AskDrDan.com

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine:
http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse?
http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library:
http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net:
http://TheNaturalVet.net

 

Jean asks a Just Add Oats/Cushings question…

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I have a 34 yr old who has been on cushings med for 5 yrs. He is doing great on your  Weight Check oil and Gut Check.

I want to see if I can switch him over to Just Add Oats without feeding the oats. If you do not recommend the just add oats, what vitamin and min supplement should I give. I have been using Select one, but use Just Add Oats for my other younger horse and would like to use just one supplement if possible for both. I also feed the both the Red Cal–

love it all.

Jean

Absolutely Jean ….any horse can have Just Add Oats regardless of what else is feed. 

I also have dozens and dozens of cushings, metabolic, IR horses etc. that DO get oats by the way.. it is the most natural grain . The commercial feed, in my opinion, is part of the cause of cushings with all the junk they contain.

Thanks for asking Jean

Reference: WhatToFeedYourHorse.com


Makes any grain mix complete- especially formulated for oats!

Contains biotin, calcium, choline, zinc, iron, folic acid, manganese, magnesium, lactobacillus acidophilus and more enzymes PLUS kelp!

Eileneen’s update on jack russell terrier with allergies and arthritis pain and her horse…

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Dr. Dan,
 
I wanted to update you on my jack russell terrier with allergies and arthritis pain.  He is doing so much better!  His skin is clearing up with some continuing (but shrinking) skin lesions that I am continuing to treat with Marigold product.  The Comfort Caps have helped tremendously!  While he has some stiffness when first getting up sometimes, he seems much more comfortable than during previous winters when he was on various pain meds.
 
Also, my horse with Cushings and a history of liquid stool discharge during the winter is doing much better.  He has been on your feeding program for quite some some, and recently you had suggested Gut Check and Aller Check to help with the liquid stool.  It has been nearly a week since he has had NO liquid stool and his stool is improving in consistency as well.  He used to just have stool leaking nearly all the time throughout the winter, and his back legs are now dry!  It was so bad that I used to have to lend my farrier an old jacket of mine when she trimmed him because he would be so wet down his back legs and tail!
 
Thanks Again!!!
 
Eileen 

———————————————————————-

Previously….
 

Hi Dr. Dan,  I have a 23 year old TWH gelding who has Cushings, and also develops diarrhea beginning in fall and through the winter for the past couple of years. It presents as liquid stool that accompanies gas, though his stool is also frequently not well formed.  He remains wet all down his back legs.  Last year it was better as my vet suggested starting in the fall with Succeed and Fasttrack which are digestive enzymes.  With us heading into fall, would you recommend I forgo this procedure and instead use your Gut Check (and possible Critical Care)?  He is now on your feed program-oats, weight check oil, just add oats, and red cal hi-mag.  

Thanks, Eileen

Definitely add the Gut Check. If he has a cresty neck then the Critical Care supplement. Be sure he has access to Red Cal "free-choice" all the time too. Unless he has the cresty neck, I would just use the regular version of Red Cal instead of the Hi-Mag version.

Thanks for asking Eileen
 

Connie asks about horse showing signs of IR/Cushings

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Dr. Dan… I recently discovered that my horse is showing signs of IR/Cushings.

I've gotten on the web and see so much conflicting information. I ordered your RedCal + Magnesium but wanted to know how much oats do you feed a IR/Cushing's horse? I'm reading that they should be pulled off grain but you're saying feed oats? She's on burmuda grass and getting ready for coastal hay to come in (low sugar type.

Your thoughts?
Connie C.

Please consider follow the advise at www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com to the "T". That would mean gradually switching to the same volume of oats that you are now feeding of grain. To the oats, add our Just Add Oats supplement and Weight Check oil.  Continue the Red Cal (hi-mag version).  If your horse has a cresty neck and really overweight, then add the Critical Care I/R formula. The later is pricey but there is nothing like it and fortunately only a tub or two is generally needed to take the crest away.

Oh yea, I really don't like bermuda or coastal hay. I don't care what anyone says ..orchard grass or timothy are better.  And don't worry about the sugar in hay. Its not that big a deal.

Enjoy your new horse and thanks for asking!

Dr. Dan

 

Answered Mary with her question about diarrhea in horse with cushings…

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Hi Dr. Dan,

My 23 year old Appy has had cushings for almost 3 years – the only symptoms have been the curly, non-shedding coat, a slightly stand-offish attitude, and some slow healing of an eye infection.  But now she has had serious diarrhea for 3 months.  The vet thought it might be because of the newly cut hay she started eating in July but she has always had this local hay – and frankly it is quite low in quality so I don't think this is it…and she hasn't gotten used to it as the vet thought she might. 

I'm wondering if your product Gut-Check might be something to try or if you have any ideas.  She has always had loose stool but this is really liquid and just runs down her backside. 

Thanks Mary

I see many with such Mary. The cushings does make it worse though but actually these suggestions may help that as well. It has others for sure.
If you will follow the feeding advise at www.whattofeedyourhorse.com to the "T" and www.wormcheck.com chances are great you will have a new horse…fecal consistency wise anyway, barring some other major issue. Since this has been going on so long you will need to add for additional support  the Gut Check supplement (so much more than probiotics) and our Aller Check (to help get rid of all the past junk such s dewormers etc and help the gut itself too with the mucosa etc.) No other supplements or food except oats and what suggested her. Deworming only if positive fecal results too.

Thanks for asking. Get back with me after a month or so on the above.

 

Eileeen asks about her horse with Cushings/Diarrhea

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Hi Dr. Dan,  I have a 23 year old TWH gelding who has Cushings, and also develops diarrhea beginning in fall and through the winter for the past couple of years. It presents as liquid stool that accompanies gas, though his stool is also frequently not well formed.  He remains wet all down his back legs.  Last year it was better as my vet suggested starting in the fall with Succeed and Fasttrack which are digestive enzymes.  With us heading into fall, would you recommend I forgo this procedure and instead use your Gut Check (and possible Critical Care)?  He is now on your feed program-oats, weight check oil, just add oats, and red cal hi-mag.  

Thanks, Eileen

Definitely add the Gut Check. If he has a cresty neck then the Critical Care supplement. Be sure he has access to Red Cal "free-choice" all the time too. Unless he has the cresty neck, I would just use the regular version of Red Cal instead of the Hi-Mag version.

Thanks for asking Eileen
 

Check out these helpful links:

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine:
http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse?
http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library:
http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net:
http://TheNaturalVet.net

 

Joyce with a Cushings question…

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I brought a rescue horse home and she has cushings — what do you recommend feeding her?  She is on pasture a LITTLE and I feed her a little grass hay – soaked first — first time I have had a horse with this — I have gotten some weight off of her — I love your Bug Check and use it all the time — thanks for your time and information, Joyce

Hello Joyce,

Please look over our website at www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com
as well as these search results at http://askdrdan.com/?s=cushings for
lots of information.

I don't know what you are feeding now, but Our Feeding Program that you will
learn about at the link above is the needed foundation! It consists of an
Oats diet (no commercial feed!) along with our "Just Add Oats" supplement,
our RED CAL (no blocks!) and our Weight Check Oil (with Omegas).

Again see more at:www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

In some cases I would also suggest our Gut Check supplement and
have also asked others to consider our Critical Care Hypothyroid formula.
(I know it says overweight formula too but basically it is great for cushings and regulates sugars)
It is pricey but really nothing else like it and generally only a tub or two is needed.

Please keep me posted and thanks for asking!

Check out these helpful links:

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine:
http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse?
http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library:
http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net:
http://TheNaturalVet.net

Toll-Free At 877.873.8838

I answer Carlita’s question about Cushings…

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I have a 10 year old horse with Cushings (on Pergolide), with laminitis and white line disease.

He had a systemic fungal infection a couple years ago, we had to treat it orally and it finally cured his hairless leg after a few months of trying everything. I just started the red cal high mag, health check and gut check. He gets hay and some almonds (no grain at all). He is off the grass since he gets grass founder. I wanted to know if you had any thoughts on systemic yeast/fungal infections.

I heard they can affect joints and wreak havoc on the whole body. He has been itchy all over but the health check and gut check seem to be helping. I know probiotics can treat yeast/fungal infections which isnt that basically what white line disease is? I want to get back to the basics and make sure he is getting the nutrition his body needs to heal and then work on whatever else he may need from there.

Do you have any thoughts? Is it ok to use health check and gut check together at the same time?

All of our products are designed to work together so no problem with health, gut or any of them. The "leg fungus"  (possibly scratches)  and white line are pretty much the same issue. In each case the body is trying to "discharge something". The fungus is not the issue.  The key to treat them is to help the body with this "discharge". The health check is the correct supplement. Of course you don't want to put any more back in either. (Commercial feed, vaccinations, dewormers etc are potential sources).  I would suggest Just Add Oats supplement with a handful of oats to mix it with. I have thousands of laminitic and cushings horses on oats  by the way with only positive benefits. I would also add the Weight Check oil supplement  (cell membranes transport nutrients into the cells and "junk" out AND these membranes are almost all fat…Weight Check is good fat not hydrogenated fat. Also see www.whattofeedyourhorse.com. This is the program I would suggest especially considering the cushings and laminitis too. I would follow it to the "T" and eventually as time goes on wean OFF the pergolide as I have been able to do with hundreds.

One more thing…many think that cushings is related to vaccines. I do as well. I also feel hydrogenated fats as in almost all commercial feed, is killing our horses and a potential cause.

Thanks for asking Carlita!

Angel asks about a Diet for Quarter Horse with Cushings…

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Hi Dr. Dan,  

My 12 year old Quarter horse gelding was just diagnosed with Cushings.  So, I was wondering what is the best diet and what are acceptable treats for him?  Currently, my horse’s insulin is ok.  He is a little underweight and is loosing muscle tone.  His diet includes Timothy Hay 3 times a day, 1 pound of hay pellets in the evening with his medicine which is Pergolide(powder form)and some EquiPride vitamins.  I was thinking of giving him some stabilized rice bran, but I am not sure if that is acceptable.  Any assistance you could provide would be very much appreciated.  

Sincerely, Angel A.

I would highly suggest our feeding program at www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com 
 
I do NOT suggest rice bran. it can pull calcium out of bones. Our Weight Check oil suggested at the website in the program will help with the weight. Amazing how a little of it helps loose weight, yet slightly more can help them gain if they need to.

You can also review other posts about "cushings" on this site at:

 
Thanks for asking Angel

Cushings?

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Hi Dr Dan,   I have a 22 year old Morgan gelding with Cushings. He has been on Permax (1 gm) for 3 years. He has started to lose weight and I have asked you about helping him. You suggested increasing the weight check oil which I have done this spring but the weight lose continues and I’m worried about the winter months. How much oats can I safety give him? He is given grass hay because I also have a mare that has foundered on alfafa so I need to use grass hay.

Thank you for your help.. Judy M.

Hello Judy, Weight Check is just the start. PLEASE also see the article/audio on what to feed your horse. (www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com)

 

I suggest more oats (up to one percent of the body weight daily.. But be reasonable and increase any amount slowly) be sure you add Just Add Oats 2X ,Red Cal and I would suggest Gut Check in your case too. Do consider Critical Care Hypothyroid too (I know it says overweight formula too but basically it is great for cushings and regulates sugars) it is pricey but nothing like it and generally only a tub or two is needed.