Equine Nutritional Diseases

Question 1

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)
AKA “Equine Cushings”
1. What is it?
2. What does it do?
3. Symptoms (8)

Answer 1

1. Pituitary tumor in the par’s intermedia releases ACTH - stimulates adrenal glands to release cortisol.
2. Increased cortisol interferes with insulin and many other body symptoms.
3. Symptoms
   - Long curly hair
   - Excessive drinking
   - Urination
   - Laminitis
   - Chronic infections
   - High blood sugar
   - Muscle wasting
   - Poor BCS
   - Abnormal fat deposits

Question 2

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) Treatment (6)

Answer 2

1. Pergolide- Dopamine Agonist “Prascend”
   - Helps reduce the ACTH produced from the abnormal pituitary gland.
   - $$$
2. Maintain BCS w low starch & sugar
   - Total diet w/less than 20% of these
3. Feeds that contain fat & fiber for calories while balancing nutrients is crucial
4. Adequate protein to maintain muscle mass
5. Added antioxidants - vita C & E
6. Magnesium, Chromium, & Omega 3 fatty acids.

Question 3

Insulin Resistance (IR)
1. Definition
2. Caused by… (2)

Answer 3

1. The diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose from the bloodstream into muscle & other tissues.
2. Cause
   - Associated with obesity or other health issue (cushings, BCS >7)
   - Over feeding

Question 4

Insulin Resistance (IR)
Treatment (5)

Answer 4

1. Low starch & sugar
   - Total diet w/less than 20% of these
2. Adequate protein
   - To maintain muscle mass along with balanced diet
   - No starving if overweight!
3. Avoid large meals
4. Feed small meals freq
5. Nibble nets and slow feeders

Question 5

Equine Metabolic Syndrome
idfk what this slide is trying to say

Question 6

Laminitis
1. Etiology
2. Dietary needs (6)

Answer 6

1. Inflammation of the laminae
   - Sinking of the coffin bone
2. Dietary needs
   - Low starch & sugar; High fiber!
   - BCS 4.5
   - >0.5% BW of grain/meal
   - Small freq meals
   - Proper hoof care
   - Protein, vit/min, biotin

Question 7

Causes of obesity in equine (5)

Answer 7

1. Nutrition
2. Hormones
3. Weight stress
4. Heat stress
5. Infertile

Question 8

Equine Proper Weight Loess (4)

Answer 8

1. Low calorie - simple calorie economics
2. Proper protein, vitamins, & minerals
3. Enough fiber for hindgut health
4. Exercise & willing management (?)

Question 9

Heaves
1. Causes (4)
2. Prevention/Treatment (3)

Answer 9

1. Causes
   - Allergies
   - Recurrent airway obstruction
   - Environmental
   - Feed
2. Prev/Tx
   - Soak/spray hay to reduce DUST
   - Feed complete feed or pelleted/cubed hay instead
   - Increase Omega 3 levels & flaxseed oil

Question 10

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER)
“Monday Morning Disease”
Clinical signs (4)

Answer 10

1. Firm & painful muscles over the lumbar (loin) and sacral (croup) regions of the topline, including the large gluteal muscles.
2. Excessive sweating, tachypnea, tachycardia, & muscle twitching are also noticed.
3. Extreme cases: Reluctant/refuse to move
   - Discolored urine due to release of myoglobin (muscle tissue damage)
4. Episodes may range from massive muscle necrosis & renal failure

Question 11

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER): Sporadic
1. Classification (2)
2. Causes (3)

Answer 11

1. No prior Hx of tying-up episodes
   - Single or very infeq episodes of ER
2. Causes
   - Over-exertion relative to current level of conditioning
   - Hyperthermia, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances during endurance exercise
   - Post-resp infection ?

Question 12

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER): Chronic
1. Classification (2)
2. Causes (3)

Answer 12

1. Repeated episodes of tying-up from young age
   - Increased serum creatine kinase (CK) and AST activities with mild exertion.
2. Causes
   - Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM)
   - Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER)
   - Breeds: quarter horses, warm bloods, paints, appaloosas, morgans.