Diabetes

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment

Diabetes mellitus can have more than one cause. Type 1 results from a decrease in insulin being produced by beta cells in the pancreas, and low levels of insulin are always found. It is seen much less often than type 2 (non-insulin dependent), which combines a gradual onset of insulin resistance and potential failure of insulin production by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is frequently associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) as may occur as a complication of EMS.

Symptoms

Common in

Treatment

The aims of treatment are to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce body weight by improving the horse’s diet and increasing exercise.
Affected horses will get along best on a ration with low starch content and good-quality fermentable fiber.

In addition to pergolide therapy for PPID, Metformin is a drug given to EMS sufferers to help improve insulin sensitivity.
Though human diabetes is often treated with insulin injections, this therapy is rarely used in horses unless they have confirmed type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Prevention

Maintaining a body condition score of 4.5-5/ 9;
Choosing feeds low in starch and sugar;
Feeding a low (<10% dry matter) WSC hay or a hay replacer;
Restricting or removing grazing.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in horses is an autoimmune disease causing widespread inflammation affecting skin, joints, and organs.

Immune System

Systematic Lupus Erthematosus (SLE)

Systematic Lupus Erthematosus (SLE) Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment Equine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a polysystemic auto-immune

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Diseases

Pemphigus Foliaceus in Horses

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.

Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune skin disease in horses causing blistering, crusting, and hair loss, primarily on the face, limbs, and body.

Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS), also known as Fell Pony Syndrome, is a genetic disorder in equines, primarily affecting Fell ponies, characterized by a compromised immune system leading to increased susceptibility to infections and often resulting in early mortality.

Congenial (Genetic)

Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Fell Pony Syndrome)

Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Fell Pony Syndrome) This disease is fatal, cannot be cured or adequately treated and is expected to