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
Overweight
Underweight
Weight gain
Abnormal fat deposits
Thirsty
High appetite
Excessive urination
Reduced performance
Lameness
Reluctant to move
Muscle wastage
Bloated
Common in
Ponys
Morgans
Paso Finos
Arabians
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.
Addison Disease This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism,
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