Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance are often confused and considered the same disease in horses. Insulin Resistance occurs when insulin no longer has a normal effect on the equine tissues.

 

In the insulin-resistant horse, the pancreas releases insulin into the blood stream and the insulin arrives at the tissues and binds the cells; however the glucose enters the tissue cells at a much lower rate than normal. This leads to the horse feeling hungry, overeating and becoming obese.

 

True Cushing’s occurs mostly in the older horse with abnormally elevated levels of ACTH and cortisol.

 

Insulin Resistance is often a precursor to Cushing’s.

 

 

The following nutraceuticals or natural/herbal formulas can also provide effective treatment for your equines living with Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance/Cushing’s Disease.

 

 

 

Integrative Medicine

 

The following nutraceuticals or natural/herbal formulas can also provide effective treatment for your equines living with insulin resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome and/or Cushing’s Disease.

 

» Magnesium Citrate: Helps improve the insulin receptivity in the cell walls.

 

» Chia Seeds: Helps stabilize cell membranes as a strong source of Omega 3 fatty acids.

 

» Flax/Hemp Oil/Meal: Supports the immune system and also works to improve efficient glucose metabolism.

 

Equine Metabolic Syndrome/ Insulin Resistance/Cushing’s Disease – Equine Products – (Reference: Veterinarians’ Desk Reference)

(Live Link)

 

Species affected: Horses

Background: Predisposing factors include a history of excess vaccination and/or drug therapy, especially with the long-term use of steroid drugs. Stress, obesity, old age, lack of exercise, pollution, and poor-quality diets are also likely to be causal or predisposing.

Symptoms: Insulin Resistance or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (the new, more accurate terms for what has been called Cushing's Disease in the past) is characterized by obesity, resistance to weight loss, lumpy fat pads and cresty necks, longer and dry hair, chronic laminitis (that is difficult to treat), chronic infections, insulin resistance, increased or decreased weight gain (often with uneven distribution of fat), and with increased urination and drinking, and poor digestion in the later stages. True Cushing’s disease does exist, but is much less common.

Diagnostics: The diagnosis is not always straightforward and may require a combination of history and blood tests (insulin, glucose, ACTH, cortisol), depending on which symptoms are present. In many cases all blood work will be normal, yet obesity and unhealthy fat distribution are present.

Special Notes: Treatment depends on the degree the horse is affected. Conventional drug therapy is not specific for EMS or IR, so these horses are much better supported with supplementation. Dietary control must be part of the treatment plan.

Principles for Supplementation: Improve glucose metabolism, balance and support hormonal system, achieve weight loss, and improve digestion and metabolism.

 

 

FORMULAS	DOSAGE	MECHANISM/PURPOSE
OB Formula1,5	1 scoop bid	Hemp-based nutrients to aid glucose metabolism, weight loss.
Insulinese14	4 tsp bid	Supports insulin metabolism, tonifies Spleen, useful when no inflammation is present, fat is mildly lumpy.
Four Marvels Powder, Si Miao San14	4 tsp bid	Clears Damp and decreases inflammation, support insulin metabolism, esp. in springtime, with lumpy fat deposits.
CoQ100VET12	1-5 capsules sid	Excellent for antioxidant properties in laminitis cases, especially if anti-inflammatory drugs are not being used.
UltraChromeVET-50012	2-4 capsules sid	Can help stabilize blood sugar.
Vanoxyl12	4-6 capsules sid	Stabilizes blood sugar.
Magnesium Citrate12	1-2 gram bid	Improves insulin receptivity in cell walls.
Metabolyte Gold2	25-30 cc sid	Supports insulin metabolism, palatable liquid formula.
APF-Pro21	6-10 mL sid	Adaptogenic herbs, support the immune system, adrenals, reduces stress, helps horses adapt to stress.
Core Level Pituitary11	4 tablets sid	Glandular; supports the hormonal system, usually used with pituitary imbalance, older horses.
Chia Booster (chia seeds)19	1 scoop bid	Stabilizes membranes, source Omega 3 fatty acids.
Flax/Hemp Oil	Flax/Hemp meal, naturally stabilized1	4-8 tbsp oil or
Digestive Tonic14	½-⅔ scoop bid	Clears stagnant food; enhances digestion.
Enhance Life14	4 tsp bid	Increases Qi and Blood, tonifies kidney yang, enhances energy levels and performance.
These formulas below are for horses with more advanced symptoms and/or laminitis. Supplements above can be used for support.
INR Formula1 ,5	1 scoop bid	Hemp-based nutrients to aid insulin resistance and GIT damage.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang	(Gentiana Combination)14	4 tsp bid
Cush X Support Formula2	3-4 scoops sid	Support pituitary function, insulin and glucose metabolism, helps shed winter coats.

 

Diabetes Mellitus – Equine Products – (Reference: Veterinarians’ Desk Reference)

(Live Link)

 

Species affected: Horses

Background: Not very common in horses.

 

Symptoms: PU/PD, polyphagia, unexplained weight loss and later, diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diagnostics: Blood values are for glucose, insulin, glucose in the urine.

Principles for Supplementation: To correct the insulin and glucose metabolism, stabilize the blood sugar and prevent secondary complications such as laminitis.

 

FORMULAS	DOSAGE	MECHANISM/PURPOSE
OB Formula1,5	1 scoop bid	Hemp-based nutrients to aid glucose metabolism, weight loss.
Insulinese14	4 tsp bid	Supports insulin metabolism, tonifies Spleen, useful when no inflammation is present, fat is mildly lumpy.
Four Marvels Powder, Si Miao San14	4 tsp bid	Clears Damp and decreases inflammation, support insulin metabolism, esp. in springtime, with lumpy fat deposits.
Flax/Hemp Oil	4-8 tbsp sid, or divided bid	Improves glucose transport through cell wall.
Magnesium Citrate12	1-3 grams sid	Improves insulin receptivity in cell wall.
APF-Pro21	6-10 mL sid	Adaptogenic herbs, support the immune system, adrenals, reduces stress, helps horses adapt to stress.
UltraChromeVET-50012	2-4 capsules sid	Can help stabilize blood sugar.
Vanoxyl-2512	4-6 capsules sid	Stabilizes blood sugar.

 

To help you quickly find the right Integrative Medicine formulas and manufacturers to help treat your dogs, cats and horses, please refer to the Veterinarians’ Desk Reference (Click Here)