Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Equine metabolic syndrome in horses - causes and care
By Durham, Andy E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2019·Liphook Equine Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: ECEIM consensus statement on equine metabolic syndrome.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a condition in horses that increases the risk of a painful hoof disease called laminitis. The main issue in EMS is a problem with how insulin works in the body. It's important for horse owners and veterinarians to identify the signs of EMS so they can manage it effectively. Diagnosing EMS involves looking at the horse's health history, performing a physical exam, and running specific lab tests. Treatment usually focuses on adjusting the horse's diet and exercise to help regulate insulin levels and reduce weight, and sometimes medications may be needed. Managing EMS is a long-term commitment that requires careful attention from the horse's owner and support from their vet.
Abstract
Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a widely recognized collection of risk factors for endocrinopathic laminitis. The most important of these risk factors is insulin dysregulation (ID). Clinicians and horse owners must recognize the presence of these risk factors so that they can be targeted and controlled to reduce the risk of laminitis attacks. Diagnosis of EMS is based partly on the horse's history and clinical examination findings, and partly on laboratory testing. Several choices of test exist which examine different facets of ID and other related metabolic disturbances. EMS is controlled mainly by dietary strategies and exercise programs that aim to improve insulin regulation and decrease obesity where present. In some cases, pharmacologic aids might be useful. Management of an EMS case is a long-term strategy requiring diligence and discipline by the horse's carer and support and guidance from their veterinarians.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30724412/