How common is Cushing's disease in horses?

Equine Cushing's disease, also known as PPID

PPID

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), or equine Cushing's disease, is an endocrine disease affecting the pituitary gland of horses. It is most commonly seen in older animals, and is classically associated with the formation of a long, wavy coat (hirsutism) and chronic laminitis.

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Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction - Wikipedia

, is thought to affect 20% of horses over the age of 15, and is the 5th most common disease syndrome recognised in horses and ponies in the UK*.

What percentage of horses get Cushings?

Equine Cushing's is one of the most commonly diagnosed equine endocrine (hormonal) disorders. It is estimated to affect approximately 0.1% to 0.5% of all horses. Cushing's is usually diagnosed in older horses (the average age of affected horses is 19 years), but it also can occur in young horses.

Is Cushings common in horses?

Equine Cushing's disease is one of the most common diseases of horses greater than 15 years of age. The clinical signs are associated with abnormally elevated hormone concentrations in the blood and along with other hormones, cortisol, plays an important role in this disease.

What are the early signs of Cushing's disease in horses?

Clinical signs include increased coat length and delayed shedding of the winter coat, laminitis, lethargy, increased sweating, weight loss and excessive drinking and urinating. The disease primarily affects those over the age of 10, with 19 being the average age at diagnosis.

How many horses have Cushing's?

All horses are at risk for PPID. Current estimates suggest that between 20 and 33% of all horses develop PPID by the age of 20. This makes PPID the most common endocrine condition of horses. In days gone by, veterinarians and owners relied heavily on the classic signs of PPID to make a diagnosis.

Ask the Vet - What is Cushing's Disease in horses?

Can you prevent Cushing's in horses?

Although Cushing's disease cannot always be prevented, there are precautions you can take to lower the risk. “The most important thing is to keep your horse's weight down, providing proper nutrition, which means to feed him only what he really needs,” Langer says. Sugar intake should be minimized.

Can you reverse Cushings in horses?

The Right Medicine PPID cannot be cured, but its effects can be controlled with medication and management. The drug most commonly used to treat horses with PPID is pergolide mesylate, a dopamine agonist that helps to regulate the pituitary gland.

What happens if Cushings is left untreated in horses?

If a horse has untreated Cushing's Disease, it is more likely to develop laminitis and the laminitis will be more difficult to control. If an equine has any of the clinical signs suggestive of Cushing's, a blood sample can be taken to check ACTH levels in the blood.

What is the best hay to feed a horse with Cushing's?

Alfalfa averages 10-15% NSC, and oat hay is very high, averaging 22%. Alfalfa can be a good option for a horse with Cushings if they are a hard time holding their weight because it is more calorie-dense than grass hay.

When is the best time to test a horse for Cushing's?

If a horse is showing symptoms of Cushing's Disease and has a normal ACTH level, then we recommend either re-testing ACTH levels during Mid-August to Mid-February, or a TRH stimulation test.

How can you prevent Cushing's disease?

Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent a tumor that causes Cushing's syndrome.

Is Cushing's painful for horses?

As long as horses with Cushing's disease are treated and monitored closely for any signs of pain (due to laminitis) or other abnormal characteristics of decreased quality of life, they are not thought to be suffering.

Does a horse with Cushings need medication?

How do you treat Equine Cushing's disease? Treatment is fairly simple. It consists of an oral medication (Pergolide) in the form of a tablet given once daily. PRASCEND is a FDA-approved formulation of pergolide.

Can horses with Cushings graze?

Since laminitis and founder are more common in horses with Cushing's disease, pasture grazing should be severely limited or totally avoided.

What should I feed my senior horse with Cushings?

Increased energy requirements can be met by feeding alfalfa (lucerne) hay or chaff, super-fibers such as beet pulp and soy hulls, or a low- to moderate-NSC feed. Feeds that are higher in fat (greater than 6%) are preferred as they are less reliant on carbohydrates for energy.

Can Cushings horses have oats?

Even though oats are the grain lowest in sugar and starch, at around 45 to 50% starch they are still far too high in starch for horses on a low sugar and starch diet, eg insulin resistant horses, horses prone to laminitis, those with disorders like Cushings or PSSM etc, as well as many horses who are prone to ulcers, ...

How do you take care of a horse with Cushing's disease?

Many horses with Equine Cushing's disease are able to continue their athletic careers, and exercise is always helpful for their metabolism. If your horse is sound, then keep up his regular exercise. If he is less athletic but sound then you can try to ride, long-rein, or lead him out at a brisk walk regularly.

How much does it cost to treat Cushings in horses?

Pergolide and cyproheptadine are the most commonly used medications. Pergolide is typically most effective. Treatment for a full-sized horse usually costs between $80-$100 per month. Cyproheptadine is less effective, but is also less expensive, at about $35 per month.

Can Cushings in horses be treated naturally?

Good hoof-care combined with nutritional management and the application of other modalities, including acupuncture and Chinese and Western herbs, can complete the healing process. The successful treatment of equine Cushing's syndrome is one of the best examples of treating a disease using the holistic approach.

Should you blanket a horse with Cushings?

Since Cushing's disease makes it hard for your horse to stay cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather, blanket him in the winter as necessary, and body-clip him in the summer if necessary. Be sure he has shade, shelter, and access to fresh water.

Is Cushings fatal?

Today, virtually all people with Cushing's syndrome can be treated effectively, and many can be cured. Because Cushing's syndrome is potentially fatal if untreated, people with this condition should have regular medical care and follow their treatment plan closely.

What can mimic Cushing's?

Thus, in borderline cases, the clinician should rule out clinical conditions that mimic Cushing's syndrome. Mild hypercortisolism, diabetes, and hypertension, often present in obese patients, may be suggestive of Cushing's syndrome.

What are three symptoms of Cushing's syndrome?

What is considered a high ACTH level in horses?

However very high levels (>300pg/mL) are still highly suggestive of ECS and a normal level in the autumn (<100 pg/mL) is more likely to be truly negative. Horses with EMS may have elevated ACTH due to the stress of their laminitic condition but levels will still not be as high as expected with ECS.

How long does it take for Cushings test results in horses?

Most horses show improvement within 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Within a month you can expect to see an improved attitude and reduced lethargy, however improvements in coat, muscle mass and laminitis may take up to a year.