What causes Cushings disease in horses?

Equine Cushing’s disease occurs when a tumor called a pituitary adenoma develops in the pituitary gland. As this tumor slowly grows, it sends inappropriate signals to the rest of the body to secrete excessive hormones — primarily a stress hormone called cortisol.

Is it common for older horses to get Cushing’s disease?

Equine Cushing’s Disease is more common in older horses, although it has been known to occur in younger horses. The tragedy about Cushing’s Disease in both horses and dogs, is that because it occurs in later years, owners often mistake the disease for a general decline due to age.

When does equine Cushing’s disease produce higher levels of ACTH?

During the fall months, all horses will produce higher levels of ACTH and it was thought that that made tests undertaken during this time unreliable but recent studies have shown that horses suffering from Equine Cushing’s Disease will continue to produce even higher amount than other horses.

What’s the difference between equine Cushing’s disease and EMS?

While both Equine Cushing’s Disease and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) are endocrine (or hormone) disorders and can both increase the horse’s susceptibility to laminitis they are in fact very different conditions.

Can a horse with Cushing’s disease take dexamethasone?

Horses with Cushing’s, however, are usually unresponsive to the dexamethasone, and levels remain the same or escalate due to the inability of the pituitary to slow hormone production. The dexamethasone suppression test is not risk-free; one liability is resultant laminitis.

Equine Cushing’s Disease is more common in older horses, although it has been known to occur in younger horses. The tragedy about Cushing’s Disease in both horses and dogs, is that because it occurs in later years, owners often mistake the disease for a general decline due to age.

What are the most common diseases of older horses?

Common Diseases of Older Horses. Endocrine system Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also knows as Cushing’s disease, is quite common in horses in their late teens and twenties. Growth of a heavy coat that fails to shed in spring is the most obvious sign, and 90% of horses with this type of coat have PPID.

During the fall months, all horses will produce higher levels of ACTH and it was thought that that made tests undertaken during this time unreliable but recent studies have shown that horses suffering from Equine Cushing’s Disease will continue to produce even higher amount than other horses.

What causes laminitis in horses with Cushings disease?

These conditions are caused by immuno-suppression that follows prolonged exposure to elevated levels of cortisol. Horses with Cushing’s disease may experience recurrent episodes of laminitis (founder) with no other known predisposing causes.

Can you reverse Cushings in horses?

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.