Horses and ponies diagnosed with PPID/Cushing’s Disease should be fed a low sugar and starch diet. As alfalfa is naturally low in both sugar and starch, there are a number of feeds in our range that are suitable.

What do you feed a horse with Cushings?

Increased energy requirements can be met by feeding alfalfa (lucerne) hay or chaff, super-fibers such as beet pulp and soy hulls, or a low- to moderate-NSC feed. Feeds that are higher in fat (greater than 6%) are preferred as they are less reliant on carbohydrates for energy.

Can horses with PPID eat grass?

Choose forage wisely. Grass hays are typically best for horses with PPID and IR; however, alfalfa generally tests as having lower NSC than grass hays and might be a good option in some situations. You can feed these instead of some or all of your other forage to reduce the diet’s overall NSC.

How do you deal with a horse that has PPID?

In addition to drug treatment, simple adjustments to your management routine can help keep a PPID horse healthy and comfortable: Diet. A low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet can help counter the effects of muscle loss while reducing the risk of insulin resistance, a related syndrome that can occur in some PPID horses.

Can a horse with Cushings eat grass?

Pasture grasses can have a high NSC content, especially during the spring and fall seasons, and the risk of colic and laminitis is greater when horses are on pasture. Since laminitis and founder are more common in horses with Cushing’s disease, pasture grazing should be severely limited or totally avoided.

What should horses with Cushings not eat?

Also, because horses with Cushing’s are more prone to insulin resistance and high blood sugar, feeds and forages with higher non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) should be avoided. NSC’s are what make up the starches and sugars in your horses feed and forage.

What treats can a horse with Cushings have?

Horses with Cushing’s disease also require a low starch/low sugar diet. Better low sugar/low starch choices:

• Alfalfa cubes or pellets (surprisingly low in sugar)
• Apple peels.
• Watermelon rinds.
• Commercial products that are low in starch/sugar.

What causes equine Ppid?

Causes. The underlying cause of PPID is loss of inhibition of the pars intermedia region of the pituitary gland. As a result, the gland becomes enlarged and there is a marked increase in the production of certain hormones.

How long can horses live with PPID?

Horses are living longer, and many will live to be 25-30 years old. There are four main factors to keep in mind when it comes to caring for older horses: disease, decreased nutrient absorption, environmental and herd stress, and poor dental hygiene.

What is the best hay to feed a horse with Cushings?

Alfalfa averages 10-15% NSC, and oat hay is very high, averaging 22%. Alfalfa can be a good option for a horse with Cushings if they are a hard time holding their weight because it is more calorie-dense than grass hay.

What are the first signs of Cushing’s disease in horses?

Early signs and symptoms of equine PPID (Cushing’s Disease)

• Lethargy or decreased athletic performance. Increased sluggishness compared to normal could be an early sign of PPID.
• Change in behaviour.
• Subtle hair coat abnormalities and delayed shedding.
• Loss of topline.
• Regional adiposity.
• Laminitis.
• Infertility.

Does a horse with Cushings need medication?

A horse with Cushings Disease will require treatment for its entire life. Although the treatment we can give is effective, many horses will still suffer from recurrent laminitis. However, early and effective treatment can give your horse a new lease of life, which can remain for many years.

Why does PPID cause muscle atrophy?

We hypothesized that PPID-associated muscle atrophy is a result of increased proteolysis, and that markers of muscle atrophy and proteolysis would improve over time with pergolide treatment.

Are Oats good for horses with Cushing’s?

Even though oats are the grain lowest in sugar and starch, at around 45 to 50% starch they are still far too high in starch for horses on a low sugar and starch diet, eg insulin resistant horses, horses prone to laminitis, those with disorders like Cushings or PSSM etc, as well as many horses who are prone to ulcers,

What is the life expectancy of a horse with Cushings?

Vets encourage owners of Cushing’s horses to decrease the amount of carbohydrates they feed (e.g., grains or other concentrates), maintain the horse at a healthy body condition score, and ensure his diet is properly balanced. Well-managed horses should live about five to seven years or more past diagnosis.

Do horses with Cushings suffer?

In a horse suffering from Cushing’s disease, there either is not enough dopamine present or the body is not adequately recognizing it. This has an effect on the adrenal glands and the kidneys, and the horse becomes prone to having infections. In severe cases, Cushing’s disease can cause neurologic disease.