Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Cushings disease. What you need to know.
Horses can have one or both of theses diseases at the same time so doing a blood tests and having a
clinical exam with your veterinarian are key to figuring out the best way to help your horse.
clinical exam with your veterinarian are key to figuring out the best way to help your horse.
What is EMS?
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), can best be described as a combination of characteristics:
1. Being overweight and/or having abnormal fat distribution (therefore this disorder can occur in
normal or even underweight animals that have abnormal fat deposits).
2. Insulin resistance and having high circulating blood insulin levels (a hormone that helps to regulate
blood sugar).
3. Laminitis, which can range from recurrent mild episodes to severe laminitis that persists or recurs
despite good management and veterinary treatment.
Certain breeds, such as common pony breeds, appear to be particularly susceptible to EMS but the
condition is also seen in many different horse breeds.
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), can best be described as a combination of characteristics:
1. Being overweight and/or having abnormal fat distribution (therefore this disorder can occur in
normal or even underweight animals that have abnormal fat deposits).
2. Insulin resistance and having high circulating blood insulin levels (a hormone that helps to regulate
blood sugar).
3. Laminitis, which can range from recurrent mild episodes to severe laminitis that persists or recurs
despite good management and veterinary treatment.
Certain breeds, such as common pony breeds, appear to be particularly susceptible to EMS but the
condition is also seen in many different horse breeds.
What is PPID or “Cushings” Disease
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), which is also commonly referred to as Equine Cushing’s
Disease, is a common hormonal dysfunction in horses. PPID causes the horse’s pituitary gland to produce
an excess of hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating a large variety of bodily functions.
They normally exist in a fine balance, but in PPID horses, that balance is upset -which could cause your
horse or pony to have a wide range of subtle clinical signs:
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), which is also commonly referred to as Equine Cushing’s
Disease, is a common hormonal dysfunction in horses. PPID causes the horse’s pituitary gland to produce
an excess of hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating a large variety of bodily functions.
They normally exist in a fine balance, but in PPID horses, that balance is upset -which could cause your
horse or pony to have a wide range of subtle clinical signs:
- Having an abnormal hair coat that doesn’t shed, or the hair is dull or coarse (hypertrichosis)
- Abnormal fat deposits around the eyes or base of the tail
- Loss of muscle mass
- Laminitis
- Excessive drinking and urinating
- Lethargy
- Poor performance
The role of Grass
While grass is an important trigger factor, grazing alone does not tell the whole story. This is why some
horses develop laminitis while others grazing the same pasture and other do not.
When horses and ponies with an underlying hormonal disease graze, it causes an abnormally high levels of
a hormone called insulin.
High levels of circulating insulin results in damage to the hoof tissue and therefore laminitis is more likely
in horses and ponies with PPID and/or EMS. In normal horses, without an underlying hormonal disease,
grazing pasture is unlikely to cause laminitis.
Management
Management of EMS/PPID in horses is based on dietary modifications, exercise and in PPID medication.
Reducing food intake and increasing energy output are the mainstays for reducing obesity and improving
insulin sensitivity. Research has shown weight reduction in horses results in improved insulin sensitivity of
the horses body and therefore reduction in insulin level which cause laminitis. There are some medications
available which have been shown to maybe help to some degree in ponies with EMS and there is a great
medication available for treating PPID.
For more information on managing EMS/PPID in your horse get in touch with us. Drop us a line cooma@snowyvets.com.au or give us a call 6455 7800.
If you are concerned that your horse has EMS/PPID please consult your local veterinarian.
While grass is an important trigger factor, grazing alone does not tell the whole story. This is why some
horses develop laminitis while others grazing the same pasture and other do not.
When horses and ponies with an underlying hormonal disease graze, it causes an abnormally high levels of
a hormone called insulin.
High levels of circulating insulin results in damage to the hoof tissue and therefore laminitis is more likely
in horses and ponies with PPID and/or EMS. In normal horses, without an underlying hormonal disease,
grazing pasture is unlikely to cause laminitis.
Management
Management of EMS/PPID in horses is based on dietary modifications, exercise and in PPID medication.
Reducing food intake and increasing energy output are the mainstays for reducing obesity and improving
insulin sensitivity. Research has shown weight reduction in horses results in improved insulin sensitivity of
the horses body and therefore reduction in insulin level which cause laminitis. There are some medications
available which have been shown to maybe help to some degree in ponies with EMS and there is a great
medication available for treating PPID.
For more information on managing EMS/PPID in your horse get in touch with us. Drop us a line cooma@snowyvets.com.au or give us a call 6455 7800.
If you are concerned that your horse has EMS/PPID please consult your local veterinarian.
