Cushing's Disease

Cause:

A tumor on the pituitary gland that is located in the center of the brain. The tumor only causes a problem with hormone secretions and does not spread throughout the body.

Symptoms:

1) Laminitis and easy foundering

2) Growing winter coat early and shedding winter coat late

3) Coat is dull, longer than usual and slightly wavy in appearance

4) During warm seasons, guard hairs around the neck and throat latch are longer than normal

5) Excessive sweating around neck and chest

6) Overheating and the inability to sweat

7) Loss of muscle mass

8) Uneven deposits of fat over crest, shoulders and tail head

9) Pot-bellied and sway-backed appearance

10) Exercise Intolerance

Diagnosis:

Veterinarian will test blood glucose levels and insulin levels. In some cases where laminitis is not a problem, a dexamethasone suppression test (DST) may be used.

Managing Cushing's Disease:

Cushing's Disease needs to be controlled through medication and diet. The most common medication given is called pergolide. Pergolide helps to control the hormone secretions from the pituitary gland. The diet needs to be low in carbohydrates, so sweet feeds, grains, lush hays and lush pastures need to be avoided. Horse feeds like Purina Equine Senior and Landmark Equi-Pro Senior work well when fed
with low carbohydrate hay.

In addition to the medication and diet, routine dental care, hoof trimming and/or shoeing and parasite control are imperative. Clipping the horse is needed in preparation for hot summer months. Any infections need to be treated immediately and fully.

Reference: "Equine Cushing's Disease (ECD)." Mark T. Donaldson of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine at New Bolton Center. April 12, 2005