Is Ems The Same As Ir In Horses?

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a recently described endocrine pathologic condition of obese horses that is associated with IR, laminitis, and fat redistribution. IR is the hallmark of EMS.

Is Equine Metabolic Syndrome the same as insulin resistance?

Equine insulin resistance, also known as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), is becoming a more publicly known condition, however, it is a complicated disease that is still not completely understood.

What does EMS mean in horses?

Equine Metabolic Syndrome
What is Equine Metabolic Syndrome? Overweight horses, ponies, and donkeys are often affected by Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). EMS is an endocrine condition that affects the body in three ways: obesity and/or localized fat deposits, insulin dysregulation, and laminitis.

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.

What does IR mean in horses?

Insulin resistance (IR) in horses describes a condition in which the body fails to properly respond to the hormone insulin. Impaired insulin response is the main feature of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).

Does metabolic syndrome mean insulin resistance?

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome.

Can you reverse EMS in horses?

Treatment. 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 should 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 horses 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.

Can horses with EMS have carrots?

We know of many owners of horses with EMS and laminitis who give their horses a small amount of carrot (generally less than 100 g/day) with no problems.

Is there medication for EMS in horses?

Some recent research has also suggested that ponies with EMS may benefit from treatment with Trilostane (Vetoryl). This drug inhibits an enzyme involved in the production of steroid hormone, and has been previously used in the treatment of Cushings Disease in both horses and dogs.

Can horse insulin resistance be reversed?

Whether or not insulin dysregulation can be reversed once it develops remains unclear, but one recently published study suggests that it can. The reversal of insulin dysregulation was demonstrated using Shetland ponies, which are known for their propensity to gain weight and develop insulin dysregulation.

What medication do you give a horse with Cushings?

Some of the medications used to treat horses with Cushing’s include pergolide, bromocriptine and cyproheptadine. Studies have shown that pergolide is the most effective drug to control Cushing’s disease in horses.

What does EMP mean in horses?

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a disease of horses that affects the central nervous system. Equine obviously refers to the horse, protozoal refers to the type of organism that causes the disease and myeloencephalitis refers to that portion of the animal, which is damaged.

How do you test for IR in horses?

Resting insulin tests
This is the easiest test to carry out and involves taking a single sample of blood to measure the amount of insulin in the horse’s blood at that moment in time.

What is the best hay to feed a horse with insulin resistance?

Alfalfa can be an excellent addition to most horses’ diets, even for those that are insulin resistant (IR). I often recommend feeding it because it boosts the overall protein quality of a grass-hay diet and, in general, enhances the horse’s muscle tone, immune system and overall health.

What are the five signs of metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when someone has three or more of these risk factors:

• High blood glucose (sugar)
• Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol in the blood.
• High levels of triglycerides in the blood.
• Large waist circumference or “apple-shaped” body.
• High blood pressure.

What are 3 conditions that are part of metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

How do you reverse insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome?

Exercise is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reverse insulin resistance. Eat a balanced diet emphasizing vegetables, proteins, and low-fat dairy. Moderating your carb intake can help with weight loss and decreasing insulin resistance. Lose weight, especially around the middle, if possible.

How much exercise does an EMS horse need?

Exercise. Along with dietary changes, EMS patients should be put on an exercise program that promotes weight loss and insulin sensitivity. General recommendations for an exercise program include riding or lunging two or three times per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session.

Is EMS in horses like diabetes?

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.