Cushings Disease

About Cushings Disease

Equine Cushing's Disease (ECD) is caused by either hyperplasia (enlargement) or adenoma formation (benign growth) in part of the pituitary gland that causes the horses hormone levels to become imbalanced. It is is usually seen in horses and ponies over 15 years of age with the highest incidence amongst 20-25 year olds.

Symptoms Of Cushings Disease

The most common symptoms of Cushings Disease are weight loss (despite a normal appettite), lethargy and an abnormally long, dense and curly coat that fails to shed normally.

Protein breakdown can cause loss of muscle mass over the saddle area and rump and weaking and stretching of the abdominal muscles may give the appearance of a pot belly. Horses suffering from Cushings Disease may also drink and urinate more than usual.

Supression of the immune system can result in recurrent infections, especially oral ulcers and respiratory infections, and healing of wounds may be prolonged. Laminitis and foot abscesses have also been linked with Cushings Disease.

Treatment Of Cushings Disease

There is no cure for Cushings Disease but there are management practices and treatments that can improve the horse's quality of life.

Regular clipping will keep sweating to a minimum and make the horse more comfortable, particularly in summer and good dental care and foot care will help minimise risk of infections that could become problematic due to the weakened immune system.

A vet may prescribe drugs to keep the horse more comfortable. These are expensive and will need to be given for the rest of the horse's life.

Prevention Of Cushings Disease

There is no prevention for Cushings Disease.