Cabochon Suffering From Cushing's Disease

Fri, 04/16/2004 - 00:00
KWPN Breeding News

KWPN keur stallion Cabochon is seriously ill. The chestnut licensed KWPN sire has been diagnosed with Cushing's disease and is still severely suffering from it.

Equine Cushing's Disease is caused by excessive secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland. The most notable symptom of Cushing's Disease is the growth of along shaggy, coat of hair. This irregularly long and sometimes wavy hair often persists throughout summer months and is a critical signal that a horse may have Cushing's disease.  Other symptoms include excessive drinking and urination, laminitis, and a tendency for recurring infections in the hoof (foot abscesses), and a loss of muscle mass, especially along the top line and rump. 

"He became seriously ill just before the Stallion Licensing in Den Bosch at the end of January," owner Gert Willem van Norel said. "The illness has been so severe that we were unable to collect any semen. We hope Cabochon will recover soon, but we don't know if it is possible."

Cabochon's condition has been going up and down while vets are desperately trying to find a cure for this rare disease. "There are no good registered medicines available for this disease," Van Norel explained.

Cabochon is a 20-year old stallion by Vincent out of Gonnie (Commandant x Ulex). He has produced two licensed offsprings, Kimberly and Talent, and sired numerous keur mares. He is one of the most underrated KWPN dressage sires who has continuously been an improving force on the mareline. His most famous offspring to date is the black mare Pays Bas NL (Cabochon x Zeoliet) who became 2002 Pavo Cup Reserve Champion and placed fifth at the World Young Horse Championships, and the Grand Prix horse Luzelma Slottie (Cabochon x Apollonius xx) who was recently sold to the U.S.

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