Chaste Berry?

[anastasia55555]

Who's used it and why? ;D
Had a dabble in the past with Toffee, but i dont think i gave it fair chance, or knew what differences to look for.

[june]

I've used it for a horse with Cushings. It is also known as Vitex, agnus castus or brand name Hormonise. Hard to tell if it made a difference or not. I used it for a horse that had acute laminitis and she survived so it may have been the thing that helped or that may have been a coincidence.

[anastasia55555]

Thanks again June

Thought i would put a separate thread to see if it caught anyone elses eye that might not read my other one

[Suz]

I took it myself for a few months really helped to even out the hormones and make me fele human again.

[bertie666]

a friend used it on her mare who is evil over summer and she has become safer and less evil lol

[anastasia55555]

Thanks to you both :-) sounds like i should take some too :-D anyone else used it for cushings?

[Lorraine L]

I put Lukie forward for the trials which Robert Eustace at the Laminitis Clinic ran when he was first diagnosed at the age of 14.

The trial was run quite tightly and we supplied regular blood tests / ACTH etc together with a weekly diary of water consumption, diet, behaviour and regular photos.

The details ( and photo of my beloved Lukie prior to, and after starting Vitex ) are here on the website:
He is the first one down the page:

www.laminitisclinic.org/Vitex.htm

The Vitex proved very efficient for 3 years and i was very grateful to have him on something herbal at that, relatively young age, before having to use conventional medicine. Incidentally, it was only at the time that he went to hospital with perontinitis that the vet decided to change over to Pergolide.

Again, pergolide kept him well after that until he finally sucummed to colic in February this year at the age of 22. I hope this helps and good luck x

[Lorraine L]

Thought it interesting to add that lukie did not have any bouts of lami whilst on the trial but i did follow Jackie Taylors advice concerning strict diet etc at that same time.

If anyone ever wanted to see it, i have a full diary account of his time on the trial together with all the results and photos etc.

[anastasia55555]

Thank you :-) i shall have a read tonight after work.

[jill]

I saw a study (can't remember where sorry) comparing the effects of Vitex with Pergolide for cushingoid horses. The conclusion was that Vitex had an effect on the hirsutism (failure to shed heavy coats) and very little else. Probably indicated in the early stages of Cushings only.
Lorraine, my Jessica was on the trial too, but her ACTH levels were so high by the time she was diagnosed it made very little difference.

Anastasia you will probably find the answer to your question in the Yahoo Cushings and IR group pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/

[anastasia55555]

I shall have a look at that too thanks. Wonder whether something for her skin in general might help?

[Lorraine L]

Jill, do you remember what Jessica's reading was at the start of the trial ? Luke's ACTH was never hugely high but of course his insulin was through the roof so diet was a key point in his wellbeing.
Could i ask what the outcome was for Jessica ? Is she still with you ?

[jill]

Jess's ACTH was 200+, normal levels are up to 50. She had had no other symptoms apart from very slight hirsutism until suddenly she developed laminitus going into winter.
Sadly, no, she isn't with us any more, she had an awful winter with foot abcesses and sweats, (I clipped her even though she was soaking wet) soaking bed and rugs, what I now know to be IR but the vet seemed not to have a clue. After a few months of that she simply refused to get up one morning and asked as clearly as a horse can for me to end it for her. She was 24.