Cushing’s Disease

What is it?

ECD is commonly found in older horses and ponies, so it should be considered when evaluating horses over 18 years of age. Younger horses also develop ECD, but currently available diagnostic tests may not be sensitive enough to detect early disease.

Clinical signs  in horses with suspected ECD include lethargy, loss of appetite, pot-bellied appearance, laminitis, hirsutism (long hair coat), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), polydipsia (excessive water drinking), polyuria (excessive urination), increased supraorbital fat pads, and dental problems.

How can KERx help?

Though many veterinarians will prescribe pergolide for horses with ECD, there are management factors that might ease symptoms.

The best dietary strategy for horses with ECD will depend on several factors. First, since these horses tend to be insulin insensitive, a ration that produces a low glycemic response is essential. Rations containing rapidly fermentable carbohydrates such as lush pasture and rich grain meals should be avoided to reduce the likelihood of laminitis. Additionally, the ration must also supply the correct amount of required nutrients for the horse, and it must supply the correct caloric intake to maintain or achieve a desired body condition.

ECD horses that are overweight should be fed a ration composed primarily of hay. Most hays have low glycemic responses compared to cereal grains and sweet feeds. Hays should be supplemented with a low-inclusion fortified balancer to provide nutrients that may be deficient in the forage.

I.R. Pellet provides the vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health to those horses that maintain their weight on forage-only diets .

If an older ECD horse has trouble maintaining weight, its ration can include a low-starch, high-fat concentrate.

RE•LEVE is the original high-calorie feed specifically formulated for horses requiring low-starch diets. RE•LEVE maintains its energy density by relying on fat and fermentable fibers rather than starch sources for the majority of its calories. Alternative energy sources such as high-fat stabilized rice bran along with super fibers beet pulp and soybean hulls provide highly digestible and readily available energy.