Katie (Review Metabolic Syndrome)

[kirstiegrogan]

Has Most you will probs know my Welsh Section C mare katie has got Metabolic Syndrome
This is her now

and a video of her today on her first day out in 3months box rest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8-OlWXKlbc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14qP1HUzSMQ

Ignore me shouting i was over run with emoation

 

[Happy Horse]

She looks very happy to be out! What are the symptoms of metabolic syndrome - it isn't something I have come across before.

 

[Beanyowner]

Equine Metabolic Syndrome was first confused with Cushings disease as some of the symptoms are very similar, however treatment using Perigolide (the usual cushings treatment drug) is unsuccessful which usually prompts the vet to look at other causes. It can be linked to Laminitis due to its links to over weight horses.

Basically, glucose cannot enter the cell walls due to an increased cortisol level. Cell membranes break down, pedal bone comes away from the connective tissues and founder (pedal bone rotation) occurs.
Obesity appears to be the central problem in both humans and horses suffering from metabolic syndrome. Although body fat is commonly viewed as a useless substance that functions solely as a storage form for energy, this is not true. Body fat (especially that stored within the abdomen, liver and skeletal muscle) contains cells that are very active metabolically and hormonally, and if present in excessive amounts their effects can trigger a spiral of metabolic problems leading to insulin resistance and persistent hyperglycemia. These abnormalities, show a variety of negative effects on the cardiovascular system, cartilage and bone. One of these effects is increased synthesis and release of cortisol within the peripheral tissues of the body, which may account for the predisposition to laminitis in affected horses.

At the moment, treatment for equine metabolic syndrome focus almost solely on reversal of obesity and insulin resistance through strict dietary modification and implementation of an exercise program, if that is possible. Of course, horses suffering from laminitis cannot be exercised until founder has been brought under reasonable control.

Hope that helps...I have pictures too if you would like to see some however I would have to upload them etc!

Claire x

 

[mrsbloggett]

Wow Beaney, thank you for explaining this syndrome in a simple way. I'd read alittle about EMS, but didn't really understand what was happening in a horse to cause it.
My NF mare has been battling with laminitis since last August. She was abit on the porky side, but my regular vet wasn't overly concerned with her weight, but inspite of box rest on ad-lib hay, she couldn't shake off the laminitis. It took a referal to Newmarket specialists for the vet there to tell me that the pony needed to be put on a strict diet.

7 weeks of dieting (on about a third of the food I was previously giving her) Maisie is now almost down to her ideal weight and she is the soundest she has been for four months. I'm pretty sure she may have EMS and I am determined to keep her weight down and not have her in "show-ring" condition.

 

[Beanyowner]

Thats ok Mrsbloggett...quite enjoyed writing that out actually as I done a presentation on it last week! Keeps my brain ticking over! lol!

The best thing is to keep your pony on a strict diet as EMS, navicular and cushing are all associated with obesity in the UK especially. My presentation was actually on Obesity in the Showring as I actually do showing with my own horse so see it as an issue which is quite close to my heart...and it obviously has major welfare implications as long as the judges continue to place the rather large ponies and horses!
It is more prominent in native ponies like NFs etc as they are generally good do'ers without much need for feeding yet society and habit sometimes forces us to do things which we do not see as bad until something goes wrong...an easy thing to do with these natives!
I am pleased you liked my basic description of the disease