Cushings in Horses: What it is and signs of it
Cushings in Horses
Equine Cushing’s Disease, also known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), is an endocrine disease diagnosed in older horses and ponies. The endocrine system controls hormone release through a group of organs. The hormones that are released through the endocrine system control functions such as: metabolism, reproductive health, growth, sweating, and stress response. With this disease attacking the endocrine system, all of these functions are at risk of failure when a horse is diagnosed with Cushingâs.
Signs of Cushingâs
Cushingâs: Unshed coat
Parts of the Equine that become affected
The endocrine system controls countless bodily functions to maintain a healthy horse. Cushingâs attack on the endocrine system can be shown through a number of abnormalities that become present after the effects take place in the hormone release cycle. Some common abnormalities to watch for include seasonal laminitis, specifically in the spring time when they are released to the lush, green pastures. Other seasonal changes will become obvious as well such as the horse not shedding their winter coat in the warmer seasons of spring or summer, or the horse not growing their full winter coat when moving into the winter.
PPID is an attack to the immune system of the horse. The focus of the endocrine system prevents the horses hemostasis; their self healing with the use of white blood cells. This means their wound healing is slower and less efficient. With slower healing and less health preventative measures working within the horse, other issues arising with health maintenance are likely to become present. This can include things such as: recurring abscesses, sinus issues, infections in the mouth and teeth, and even an increase in intestinal parasites.
â Â Laminitis (recurring or seasonal)
â Â Lack of coat shedding (seasonal – spring)
â Â Lack of coat growth (seasonal – winter)
â Â Slow wound healing
â Â Abscesses (recurring)
â Â Sinus and teeth infections
â Â Increase in intestinal parasites
What to do when your horse has Cushingâs?
Cushingâs: Unshed coat in Spring
It can be difficult to hear that your four legged friend has been diagnosed with a disease of any sort. No matter how scary it may seem, the most important thing is the horse’s welfare, which starts with an official diagnosis of Cushingâs. Horses diagnosed with Cushingâs have been found to have abnormal growth in their Pituitary gland in the brain, which is a main player in the endocrine system and regulation of hormone output. Due to this abnormal growth, there is no current disease treatment; however, there are many different symptom treatment options that are able to help regulate hormone production. This ensures that the affected Equine isnât suffering because of the abnormalities that have taken place.
