Chesney PPID Update!

As those of you who read my blog or watch my video's regularly will know Chesney was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease or PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) in June this year.  I wrote a blog about  PPID back in March!

Over the winter of 2015/16 Chesney had quite a few foot abscesses, I did not think a great deal about it because the vet said lots of horses were having similar problems because it was so wet that winter.  In the following spring, as Basil and Tommy lost their winter coats Chesney didn't totally lose his.  Although he moulted quite a bit, as usual, he still had a thicker coat than normal all through the summer months.  

 June 2016

This winter 2016/17 Chesney seemed to be making the bed in his stable wetter than usual and seemed to lose more weight than usual.  Again, in the spring he didn't lose all his coat and was left with a thick coat into June! 

Chesney was showing some of the possible signs of PPID:-

•  Abnormal hair
• Increased urination
• Weight loss
• the abscesses were possibly a sign too, he may have been a bit more lethargic but it is difficult to tell with Chesney and his arthritis.

As we went into May he seemed to be losing muscle too.  However, luckily he did not have: -

• Recurring laminitis
• Excessive sweating
• Increased appetite
• Increased drinking
• Ulcers in mouth
• Poor performance
• Reduced immune function - resulting in recurring skin, respiratory infections or foot abscesses, dental disease and increased susceptibility to worms
• Pot bill and/or fat deposits along mane
• Fat deposits over eye (where a depression is usually present)

After a suggestion from the vet I decided to have a blood test in June, this showed that Chesney's levels gave an indication that he might have early PPID.  We started him on a low level of treatment in the middle of June.

 June 2017

After a couple of weeks I thought there were less wet shavings to remove from Chesney's stable but I wasn't sure.

After 5 weeks he had a further test which showed that his levels had improved but the vet recommended increasing the dosage.  A week later (and before I increased the dose) Chesney started to lose his coat :)  The amount of wet shavings was definitely decreasing too.

Now, at the beginning of September Chesney looks great, he has been putting weight back on and filling out a bit too.  He has lost most (not all yet) of the long hair he had all summer.  He is due another blood test in a couple of weeks but the change in his appearance already is amazing!

Have you seen last week's video 'Follow me in September' on my You Tube channel?   

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Until next time!

Jo