Thyroid problems in horses............

In humans it can greatly effect weight loss/gain depending on whether under (gain) or over active (loss). Effects the metabolism - assuming it's pretty similar for horses
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I may be wrong but I have heard that Thyroid probs in horses are actually quite rare- I think its treated by Thyroxin powder in the feed- however I don't think that it is competition safe!!.

Lethargy and weight probs I think would be a symptom.

My dog has an underactive thyroid which means that she gains weight easily, and would sleep a lot and had skin probs- the Thyroxin tablet she has every day counteracts this.

Has your horse got this problem then?! or are you studying?
 
Thyroid problems are apparently extremely rare in horses. Signs I believe for an over active thyroid are extreme weight loss despite a big appetite and bulges above the eyes, not sure on any others. My sister's gelding has just been tested as he has an unexplainable lump on his thyroid gland and had lost a bit of weight. Vet said it is extremely rare and due to the cost of the drugs, it isn't usually recommended to treat with drugs on a long term basis, like it is in humans or cats/dogs etc. Therefore my sister was advised to have the thyroid removed under a general.

At the moment, this hasn't happened, as the thyroid test came back negative and his hormone levels were fine, however, he has now had a biopsy on the lump to see what it is. Currently waiting for news on this, although vets have indicated that they would like to remove the lump (with the thyroid?, not quite sure on that) even if it is benign.

Hope that helps, just info I have picked up over the last few weeks due to the problems we are having with my sister's boy.

A very good person to talk to is Jackie Taylor from the Metabolic Horse Company. She doesn't have a website, but has a Yahoo group and also can be contacted on the IHDG on this thread

IHDG - Metabolic Advice thread

Hope this helps.
 
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