By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
Equine Cushings disease is more accurately called Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). It is a disease of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is found in the base of the brain and its role is to produce hormones that have a wide range of roles in our horse's body. The gland is regulated and controlled by a hormone known as dopamine. In horses with Cushings not enough dopamine is produced; therefore the pituitary gland begins to release unregulated levels of hormones into the body and we start to see problems in our horses.
Abnormal coat
Abnormal fat deposits
Increased drinking
Laminitis
Muscle wastage
Recurrent infections
Reduced fertility
It appears that around 25% of horses over 20 years old and 20% of horses over 15 years old suffer from the disease. Cushings disease is normally diagnosed by a blood sample testing for increases in a hormone call ACTH. Treatment is with a drug called Pergolide Mesylate along side changes in diet to help manage the clinical signs.
Reduce non-soluble carbohydrates in the diets
Feed to support muscle development
Easy to eat and digest feeds
Support the microbiome to help prevent GI infections
Cushings is becoming more commonly diagnosed in our older horse population. From a feeding point of view these horses can be tricky to feed. They often suffer from concurrent diseases such as dental issues and insulin dysregulation which can lead to laminitis. Due to the changes in their hormones muscle wastage is a common side effect and we are left in a position with horses that we need to provide the correct protein sources with low NSC in a easy to eat formula. Keyflow developed Golden Oldies as the first Mash Balancer specifically designed for this reason. The mash is perfect for horses with dental disease, the probiotics help support the hind gut and a high inclusion of specifically profiled amino acids work to maintain and build muscle to combat muscle wastage. On top of this generous levels of the powerful plant based long chain omega 3 DHA, which can support anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
For free and friendly advice about feeding horses with Cushings, you can contact us here.
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