Equine Cushing’s Disease
PITUITARY pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, Cushing’s disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Normally, dopamine binds to the pituitary receptors, regulating hormone levels. However, with horses suffering Cushing’s disease, a neuronal impairment leads to hormone imbalances that can severely affect their quality of life.
Equine Cushing’s disease can affect horses of any age (2.9% of all horses) but is most prevalent in those aged 15 and older where it has been reported to affect around 20% of horses. Any breed may develop the disease, and increasing age is the only identified significant risk factor.
Symptoms of Equine Cushing’s Disease
- Hypertrichosis — Thick curly hair that does not shed in spring. 95% of horses with advanced stages of Cushing’s disease experience hypertrichosis.
- Hyperhidrosis — 30% of horses with Cushing’s disease experience excessive sweating (most commonly over the neck and shoulders.) This may even be observed in horses without long hair.
- Polydipsia — Increased drinking.
- Polyuria — 40% of horses with Cushing’s disease experience increased urination.
- Fatty deposits — Around 25% of horses with Cushing’s disease are observed to have abnormal fatty deposits, typically around the eyes, as cresty neck, padded hinds, or dropped belly.
- Insulin resistance — Occurs in around 60% of cases.
- Muscle atrophy — Most obvious over the hindquarters. Also occurring in around 60% of cases.
- Lethargy — Lack of stamina, a drop in performance, or a more docile temperament.
- Lameness and laminitis — 50% of horses with Cushing’s disease have chronic laminitis.
- Sudden appearance of aging.
- Sudden appearance of what appears to be swayback.
- Heat intolerance.
- Wounds heal slowly.
- Dental problems.
- Persistent lactation and infertility.
Cushing’s Control™
While Cushing’s disease, equine metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance are not considered curable, they can be managed, along with a diet high in fiber and fat and low in sugar and starch, a good senior grain with an eye to reduced sugars and carbohydrates, plenty of water, good living conditions, stress management, and responsible exercise.
Cushing’s Control™ is designed to provide endocrine and metabolic support, blood sugar control, and bolster and balance the adrenal system. This allows the symptomatic healing these horses require with an additional adaptogen action to reduce a horse’s stress and autonomic stress reactions. The remarkable chia seed is a low glycemic but power-packed nutraceutical in itself.
Cushing’s Control™ is affordable, safe, easy to use, delicious and will not test positive for any banned substances should your horse still be competing! Like our Jeremiah’s Ulcer Repulser™, there are no fillers not expressly needed by horses struggling with these health challenges. These conditions, when properly attended to, need some time to reflect improvement, but most do improve very-noticeably with Cushing’s Control™. As the weeks pass, your old friend should experience a marked recovery and return to a more normal lifestyle and activity.
Most horses love the taste, just sprinkle over the AM and PM feeding, and yes, this can be used alongside Jeremiah’s Ulcer Repulser™. Horses experiencing other metabolic issues too have found great results with Cushing’s Control™. Poorly functioning pituitary and adrenals can burden the thyroid tremendously, help one and help the other, help the entire horse.
Cushing’s Control™ Ingredients
- Chaste tree berries (vitex agnus-castus). Vitex agnus-castus contains diterpenes which bind to the pituitary receptors and inhibit the production of prolactin, essentially increasing dopaminergic activity and helping to rebalance the hormones and provide symptomatic relief: improving coat hair shedding and condition, reducing excessive sweating, drinking, and urination, as well as increasing mental alertness. Vitex agnus-castus also exhibits hypoglycemic effects, reducing blood sugar levels, and are a powerful source of anti-oxidants, reducing the oxidative stress resulting from higher insulin levels.
- Chia Seeds. Chia seeds form a mucilaginous gel in the digestive tract that creates a barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar. The slower metabolism results in a more balanced blood sugar level. The mucilaginous gel also aids the digestive system in trapping and clearing sand and debris, helping to prevent colic and ulcers.
Chia seeds are low in sugar and starch, but high in protein and rich in anti-inflammatory anti-oxidants and flavonoids. They contain 18 of the 22 amino acids required by a horse, including all 9 essential amino acids. They are one of the highest naturally occurring sources of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, boosting immune function, supporting healthy skin, hooves, and shiny coats.
Chia seeds are also a rich source of vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and copper. Magnesium affects cell insulin secretion and essential fatty acids are required to help make the cell wall more sensitive to insulin. Furthermore, magnesium may help to decrease nervousness. Chia seeds may also aid in hydration by absorbing up to 12 times their weight in water.
- Rhodiola root (rhodiola Rosea). An adaptogenic herb that helps to lower and stabilize blood glucose levels as well as boost the immune system by increasing white blood cell counts. Rhodiola rosea also stimulates an increase in serotonin and beta-endorphins, helping to reduce stress and act as an anti-depressant. Rhodiola rosea helps support energy levels and improve stamina in horses. Rhodiola rosea is known for its mood-enhancing properties. It helps promote a sense of calmness and well-being in horses, which can be beneficial for those experiencing mood swings or behavioral changes associated with Cushing’s syndrome.
- Siberian ginseng (eleutherococcus senticosus). Siberian ginseng is also an adaptogenic herb, helping to reduce the effects of stress, increase energy and endurance, and support immune function.
- L-glutamine (vegetarian). Glutamine levels become depleted in times of high metabolic stress. L-glutamine replenishes these stores, providing fuel to the muscles and support for the immune cells, protecting against illness and tissue damage.
- Probiotics. Enterococcus faecium, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus casei, and lactobacillus plantarum. These are broad spectrum dietary probiotics that help to develop a new and healthy balance of intestinal bacteria.
in U.S.A. 