What Is Diabetes In Horses Called?

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is similar to type II diabetes in humans. It is a metabolic disorder in horses in which insulin no longer fulfills its role of moving glucose into the bloodstream for use by the cells.

What are the signs of diabetes in horses?

Typical signs are weight loss, frequent urination, and excessive thirst. These signs may be found in horses with other metabolic conditions, and bloodwork can help to separate diabetic horses from those with a different problem.

What causes horse diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is uncommon in horses and the few reported cases have included insulin resistant and type S DM, secondary to pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (1,3–11). Other reported causes of diabetes in horses include chronic pancreatitis, granulosa cell ovarian tumor, and pregnancy (1,6,8,11).

How do you treat a horse with equine metabolic syndrome?

Because most horses with EMS are overweight, the mainstay of treatment involves management changes that promote weight loss. These include reducing overall calorie intake, dietary sugar restriction, and increased exercise. Typically, grain and pasture grazing are eliminated during the initial weight loss phase.

Do horses get diabetes mellitus?

As with their human counterparts, horses may develop type 2 DM as a result of IR and EMS, but DM is relatively uncommonly identified in the equine species.

Is laminitis similar to diabetes?

Extreme insulin resistance may be associated with clinical laminitis in ponies, contributing to a diabetic-like state in which the pancreas is unresponsive to changes in circulating glucose despite remarkable persistent circulating insulin concentrations.

What are 5 common symptoms of a pre diabetic?

Symptoms

• Increased thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Increased hunger.
• Fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands.
• Frequent infections.
• Slow-healing sores.

What do you feed a horse with EMS?

Feed vitamins, minerals and antioxidants:
Horses and ponies with EMS do not need large amounts of a concentrate feed but they still require a fully balanced diet to support health and well-being. Feeding a low intake, low calorie, protein, vitamin and mineral balancer is ideal.

Can you reverse equine metabolic syndrome?

The good news is that EMS can be reversed. Due to the complex nature of EMS, there is likely to be weight loss resistance.

What is the best hay to feed a horse with Cushings?

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.

How do you prevent diabetes in horses?

Feed forage with a hay net or slow feeder and consider soaking your hay to remove sugars. Remove grain, fruits, vegetables, and treats that contain sugar from the diet as they are usually high in NSC content. If your horse is overweight, high-fat feeds may need to be restricted due to their high energy content.

Can you play sports with diabetes mellitus?

People with diabetes can exercise and play sports, just like everyone else. Whether you want to go for the gold or just go hiking in your hometown, diabetes shouldn’t hold you back.

How is laminitis treated in horses?

Laminitis is a medical emergency and horses should be seen by a vet so that they can receive treatment as soon as possible. Various medicines can be given to control the pain including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone (‘bute’) or flunixin and opiates like morphine and pethidine.

What food causes laminitis in horses?

Laminitis can be caused by an over consumption of high starch and sugar grains, either in one meal or by feeding large grain meals.

Can a horse survive laminitis?

Horses with a mild episode of laminitis may recover, especially if the coffin bone is not displaced. Once founder occurs, recovery is lengthy and the outcome is uncertain. Some cases are euthanized due to pain that cannot be adequately managed. Early identification is ideal for recovery.

What is the best feed for horses with laminitis?

Hay
Hay – The Core Feed For A Laminitis Diet
The basis of any diet for a horse or pony prone to laminitis or suffering acute laminitis is hay. The best choice of forage is one that is low in sugar, starch, and fructans (non-structural carbohydrates or NSC).

What does Cinnamon do to horses?

Antioxidant-rich Cinnamon is a great digestive aid that can help balance blood sugar levels, making it especially useful for equines prone to weight gain. Use to support healthy digestion, particularly in good doers. Directions for use: Feed 2g per 100kg of body weight per day.

Is EMS the same as Cushings in horses?

In general, Cushings affects older horses, whereas EMS first develops in young and middle-aged animals. Although they are two separate conditions, they can overlap. All breeds are susceptible but ponies are most at risk.

Can a horse with EMS have grass?

Grass is high in sugar content, and thus potentially dangerous for horses with EMS. Grass tends to have the most sugars in spring and fall and tends to accumulate sugar throughout the day on sunny days.

What animals does diabetes mellitus affect?

Diabetes most commonly occurs in middle age to older dogs and cats. When diabetes occurs in young animals, it is often genetic and may occur in related animals. Diabetes mellitus occurs more commonly in female dogs and in male cats.

What causes diabetes mellitus in animals?

In simple terms, diabetes mellitus is caused by the failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. The clinical signs of diabetes mellitus are related to elevated concentrations of blood glucose and the inability of the body to use glucose as an energy source.