Most horse owners are now familiar with Cushing's syndrome and its symptoms in horses. A disease with very similar symptoms is equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). In its early stages, it is therefore often confused with equine Cushing's syndrome. But what is the difference?
The exact cause of this syndrome has not yet been conclusively researched. The condition can affect any breed of horse, but it is more common in ponies, small horses, and heavy cold-blooded breeds, as their exercise levels are often not in line with their energy intake. Many horses are fed too much energy-rich feed and get limited exercise. They become overweight and develop the fat deposits described above because not enough sugar from the blood is used up by muscle activity and is instead converted into fat. The messenger substances formed in the fatty tissue in turn influence insulin and sugar metabolism. This is followed by so-called "insulin resistance" (inhibition of insulin activity), the blood sugar level continues to rise and the horse develops diabetes. Fat cells also contain an enzyme that is responsible for converting inactive cortisone into active cortisol. This causes cortisol levels to rise and increases the risk of laminitis, which is another stressful situation for the horse, leading to even more cortisol being produced. A vicious circle develops. EMS is therefore not caused by an overall malfunction of the hormone balance, as is the case with Cushing's syndrome, but by a metabolic imbalance.
In most cases, poor performance is the first symptom that we as owners notice in our horses. As with Cushing's syndrome, fat deposits may appear above the eyes, on the crest of the mane, and at the base of the tail. Affected horses are often overweight overall. Increased drinking and urination are also characteristics of this disease. Recurring episodes of laminitis of unknown cause should also alert the owner, as this disease is one of the late effects of EMS.
Even if the symptoms seem very clear, always consult a veterinarian to ensure that an accurate diagnosis is made. In addition to identifying the main symptoms, various blood tests may be used.
Unlike Cushing's disease, there is no specific medication available to treat equine metabolic syndrome. Depending on the severity of the disease and the veterinary findings, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers may be used as supportive treatment. Your vet will advise you in detail on a case-by-case basis.
However, with strict feeding and exercise management, the disease can be successfully controlled. Excess weight and fat deposits must be reduced so that less insulin is produced. Regular and sufficient exercise ensures an effective reduction in blood sugar levels.
Accordingly, the diet must then be switched to low-starch feed. Unfortunately, many of the popular horse mueslis are no longer recommended here, as they mostly contain barley and corn, both of which are extremely starchy energy sources. Plain oats offer the advantage of having a lower starch content but a high fat and fiber content. Oats also have a positive effect on the performance of our four-legged partners, but the amount of feed must always be precisely adjusted to the horse's energy requirements. A good alternative to oats are ready-made feeds specially tailored to the needs of horses with EMS, which are now also available in stores. Horses that are easy to feed can also gain weight from too much hay. It is therefore recommended to limit the daily amount of good hay to 1% of the animal's body weight. You can reduce the sugar content of the hay by using second or third cut hay. Silage (acidification) and grazing (high sugar content in fresh grass) should be avoided.
With a well-thought-out exercise plan and a low-carb diet for weight loss, insulin resistance in your horse with EMS can be reversed. If laminitis (see related article) has already developed, the corresponding prognosis must be taken into account.
With a diet that is strictly tailored to the breed, type, and activity level of your horse, especially in terms of carbohydrates, you can effectively prevent metabolic disorders.
The petsXL health passport allows you to clearly record and monitor your horse's weight data.
This muscle disease, which was only discovered in recent years, occurs primarily in Quarter Horses and cold-blooded animals and is characterized by the storage of excessive amounts of glycogen (animal starch stored in cells) in the horse's muscles. It is known as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).
This infectious disease, medically known as foal septicemia, is often fatal and affects newborn foals up to 4 weeks of age. The pathogens enter the bloodstream in various ways and can spread throughout the entire organism. However, the disease most commonly manifests itself in the joints, which is why it is colloquially known as foal paralysis.
Dogs and cats can go blind for various reasons. For our beloved pets, however, this is by no means “the end.” Dogs and cats, in particular, who live with us humans, are very good at compensating for the loss of sight with their other senses and can continue to lead an almost normal life.
Syncope refers to a fainting spell or circulatory collapse that occurs suddenly without warning and results in a temporary loss of consciousness. Your dog suddenly collapses and shows no signs of response. After a short time, he regains consciousness and behaves as he did before the syncope.
Ectropion is a malposition of the eyelid that mainly affects the lower eyelid. The outer edge of the eyelid is turned outward and hangs down, which is why it is also referred to as a "drooping eyelid." This malposition prevents the eyelid from closing normally, leaving the eye permanently slightly open.
Tracheal collapse is a condition in dogs that causes the windpipe (trachea) to collapse. It mainly affects small breeds such as Yorkshire terriers, miniature Spitz, poodles, and Pekingese. The condition often manifests itself in the first few months of life, sometimes with severe breathing problems.
Spondylosis is a condition characterized by deformation of the spine. It involves the formation of bony growths resembling spurs or bridges on the underside, sides, or, rarely, the top of the vertebral bodies. It primarily affects large, heavy dog breeds such as the German Boxer, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, St. Bernard, and Retriever, as well as dogs with long backs, such as the Dachshund. However, the condition can also occur in all other dog breeds.
The topic of deworming is a recurring discussion among horse owners. For anyone wondering whether it’s even necessary to deworm their horse, the answer is: Yes! Anyone who has ever witnessed, during colic surgery, how vast numbers of worms can completely block sections of the small or large intestine will never ask that question again. Without treatment, a worm infestation can become a life-threatening danger to your horse. Initially, noticeably frequent rubbing of the tail root is a sign of this. As the condition progresses, internal organs can be damaged and colic can occur. Your horse loses weight despite adequate feeding. The parasites weaken it more and more. Regular deworming is necessary to reduce the infestation to a level that your horse’s body can tolerate. It is nearly impossible to achieve complete freedom from worms, as new infections occur repeatedly due to the environment. When it comes to deworming, there are two methods: strategic and selective deworming. You should avoid alternative deworming methods.
The air sacs of horses are part of the upper respiratory tract. They develop in foals as a mucous membrane protrusion on both sides of the Eustachian tube (the connection between the middle ear and the nasopharyngeal cavity), each with a capacity of approximately 300 ml. Air sacs are found exclusively in equines and some other odd-toed ungulates, making them a unique feature. There are various theories about the function of the air sacs. The most likely is that they serve to cool the brain. There is a connection between the horse's throat and the air sacs, which is why infections of the upper respiratory tract can also spread to the air sacs. The most important diseases of the air sacs are described below.
Sticker's sarcoma is an infectious tumor of the external genital organs of male and female dogs. It is also known as transmissible venereal tumor or venereal sarcomatosis. The disease occurs worldwide, but is primarily found in tropical and subtropical countries (Mediterranean region, Africa, Eastern Europe, South America) where there is a large population of stray dogs.
Botulism is a serious neurological disease caused by the ingestion of botulinum toxin (a poison) from contaminated feed. Even the smallest amounts of this toxin can cause severe poisoning in horses, leading to death.
Endoscopy is an imaging, minimally invasive procedure in which body cavities and hollow organs can be viewed and examined using an endoscope. Endoscopes are either rigid or flexible and have a light source and a camera at the front that transmits the image directly to a screen.
