Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Question 1

risk factors for equine metabolic syndrome

Answer 1

a collection of risk factors highly associated with an increased risk of hyperinsulinemia - associated laminitis and other morbidities
- obesity/increased adiposity
- insulin dysregulation

Question 2

T/F: Equine metabolic syndrome may coexist with PPID in older horses

Answer 2

T

Question 3

what diagnostic tests are available for EMA in horses, what are their limitations?

Answer 3

1. resting insulin: > 50 is suggestive

if resting insulin is normal but phenotype present do the following dynamic tests:

2. Oral sugar test: fast overnight then give corn syrup and take blood sample for insulin 60min-90min after. Insulin > 45ug/ml supportive
3. Combines gluose-insulin test: do not fast, collect blood for glucose then admin insulin and collect blood at 30 minutes for glucose. <50% decrease from baseline is consistent with insulin resistance

Question 4

typical tx plan for horses with EMS

Answer 4

• dietary modification: weight loss, remove concentrate, less than1.25% in BW of hay, soak hay and limit grazing
• exercise
• drugs: levothyroxine (weight loss resistance or laminitis), metformin

Question 5

what does a horse with EMS look like

Answer 5

chubby with a cresty neck, adiposity

look at neck, tail head, preputial/mammary swelling, generalized adiposity

Question 6

describe the pathophysiology of ketosis in food animal species

Answer 6

1. negative energy balance in late gestation and lactation
2. non-esterified fatty acids mobilized for energy and metabolized ketones
3. elevated ketones in the blood that may or may not cause clinical disease

Question 7

common clinical signs and hx common with ketosis

Answer 7

HX: dairy cow in 1st 8 weeks of lactation

CS:
appetite loss and decreased milk production
depression/reluctance to move
decreased GI motility
concurrent LDA, metritis, mastitis
CNS signs

Question 8

diagnosing ketones

Answer 8

1. urine ketones -> trace amounts may be normal, readings at small level or higher indicate ketosis
2. beta hydroxybutyric acid testing of milk or blood

Question 9

Treating Ketosis

Answer 9

1. tx primary problem
2. IV dextrose bolus
3. propylene glycol enterally
4. glucocorticoids (increase glucose prod in liver)
5. insulin (moves dextrose into the cell)
6. get the cow eating/rumen transfaunation

Question 10

preventing ketosis

Answer 10

• introduce lactation diet in late gestation before calving so that cows are adjusted prior to sudden spike in energy demand

-ensure good BCS at calving