Heart muscle changes in insulin-dysregulated horses

    

© Kseniya Abramova Dreamstime.com

Warmblood horses with mild, previously unrecognised insulin dysregulation may already have subtle changes in heart structure and function, even in the absence of obvious signs of heart disease, laminitis or other metabolic problems. 

Recent research findings suggest that insulin dysregulation, best known for its association with laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome, could have wider effects throughout the body than previously recognised. 

The study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, examined whether horses with subclinical insulin dysregulation showed evidence of cardiovascular changes before developing clinical disease.

 

Megan Palmisano and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center carried out a blinded cross-sectional study involving 19 client-owned Warmblood horses aged between five and 15 years. All had been referred for elective procedures and had no reported history of cardiac disease, laminitis or metabolic disorders.

 

The horses underwent an oral sugar test to assess insulin regulation. Eight were classified as insulin-dysregulated, while the remaining 11 had normal insulin responses. Researchers also assessed body condition score, cresty neck score, blood pressure, metabolic hormone concentrations and heart structure and function using echocardiography.

 

As part of the metabolic assessment, the team measured leptin and adiponectin, hormones produced by fat tissue that play important roles in metabolic health. They also used two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography, an advanced imaging technique capable of detecting subtle changes in heart muscle function that may not be apparent with conventional cardiac measurements.

 

Compared with healthy horses, those with insulin dysregulation had larger left ventricular internal diameters and thicker interventricular septa, changes consistent with early cardiac remodelling or hypertrophy. At end diastole, the average left ventricular internal diameter measured 11.77 cm in insulin-dysregulated horses, compared with 11.10 cm in controls. Septal thickness averaged 3.10 cm versus 2.46 cm, while estimated left ventricular mass was approximately 3,849 g compared with 2,898 g.

 

The insulin-dysregulated horses also showed significantly lower radial strain, a measure of how the heart muscle deforms as it contracts. Average radial strain was about 49%, compared with 67% in the control group. Although conventional echocardiographic measurements generally remained within established reference ranges, these more sensitive techniques revealed subtle differences in heart muscle performance before any clinical signs were apparent.

 

High blood pressure did not appear to explain the findings. Only two horses were classified as hypertensive, one in each group. This suggests that metabolic or hormonal factors associated with insulin dysregulation may contribute directly to cardiac remodelling, although the study was not designed to determine the underlying mechanisms.

 

In people, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are well recognised risk factors for left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular disease. Several mechanisms have been proposed, including altered insulin signalling, chronic inflammation and metabolic stress. Whether similar processes occur in horses remains uncertain. Importantly, this study demonstrated an association rather than proving that insulin dysregulation causes heart disease.

 

The authors conclude that horses with mild insulin dysregulation show evidence of left ventricular remodelling consistent with hypertrophy and suggest that cardiovascular changes could become part of the broader clinical picture of insulin dysregulation.

 

The study has several limitations. It involved only 19 horses, all of them Warmbloods, so the findings may not apply to ponies, other breeds or horses with more severe insulin dysregulation. Because the research was cross-sectional, with measurements taken at a single point in time, it cannot determine whether insulin abnormalities led to the cardiac changes or whether another factor contributed to both.

 

Nor do the findings mean that every horse with insulin dysregulation has clinically significant heart disease or requires echocardiographic screening. The long-term importance of these subtle changes remains unknown. Larger, long-term studies will be needed to establish whether the cardiac changes progress, remain stable or improve with management of insulin dysregulation, and whether they have implications for athletic performance or increase the risk of arrhythmias or heart failure.

 

For now, the study adds to growing evidence that insulin dysregulation may affect more than the feet, highlighting the need to consider its potential impact on cardiovascular health as well as laminitis risk.

 

For more details, see:

 

Megan G Palmisano, Claire Underwood, Jeaneen Sage, Darko Stefanovski, Andrew van Eps, JoAnn Slack.

Echocardiographic characteristics and evidence of ventricular remodeling in subclinical insulin-dysregulated Warmblood horses

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, (2026) Vol 40, (5), aalag229.

 https://doi.org/10.1093/jvimsj/aalag229

Could ertugliflozin reduce laminitis risk following corticosteroid joint injections?

© Silviu-florin Salomia Dreamstime.com

Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid injections are widely used in equine practice to manage joint
pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis. One commonly used corticosteroid is triamcinolone acetonide (TA), which can provide significant relief from lameness and improve performance. However, growing evidence suggests that even when corticosteroids are administered directly into a joint, they can have effects throughout the body, including alterations in blood glucose and insulin concentrations.

This is important because elevated insulin concentrations (hyperinsulinaemia) are strongly associated with endocrinopathic laminitis, one of the most common and serious causes of laminitis in horses. Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or insulin dysregulation (ID) are considered particularly vulnerable, but any horse experiencing a substantial increase in insulin may be at risk.

Researchers have recently investigated whether ertugliflozin, a member of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) drug class, could help reduce these post-corticosteroid insulin increases. In human medicine, SGLT2 inhibitors are commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes by promoting the excretion of glucose through the urine, thereby reducing blood glucose and insulin levels. More recently, these drugs have attracted attention in equine medicine as a treatment for severe insulin dysregulation.

Two independent studies have now examined the effects of ertugliflozin administration around the time of IA corticosteroid treatment in horses.

The first study, conducted by Page and colleagues at the University of Kentucky, used eight metabolically normal geldings in a controlled crossover design. Horses either received no treatment or were given ertugliflozin for seven days before and seven days after receiving a clinically relevant dose of triamcinolone acetonide. Researchers measured resting glucose and insulin concentrations and performed oral sugar tests to assess the horses' insulin responses.

The results showed that horses receiving ertugliflozin had significantly lower blood glucose and insulin concentrations following corticosteroid administration. Resting glucose concentrations remained lower for up to 48 hours after injection, while resting insulin concentrations were lower for up to 72 hours. Insulin responses during oral sugar testing were also reduced. Importantly, no obvious adverse effects were observed during the study.

A second study by Darch and colleagues produced similar findings. Using a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled crossover design, eight Standardbred geldings received either ertugliflozin or a placebo before and after IA triamcinolone administration. The researchers monitored blood insulin, glucose and triglyceride concentrations over the treatment period.

Again, ertugliflozin substantially reduced the insulin response following corticosteroid injection. The peak insulin concentration (Cmax) was approximately 40 μIU/mL in the placebo group but only 17 μIU/mL in horses receiving ertugliflozin. Statistical analysis indicated a greater than 99% probability that the peak insulin concentration was lower when horses received ertugliflozin.

Together, these studies provide encouraging evidence that ertugliflozin can attenuate the increases in blood glucose and insulin that occur following IA corticosteroid administration. This finding is particularly relevant because corticosteroid-associated hyperinsulinaemia may contribute to laminitis risk.

However, both studies were conducted in horses that did not have insulin dysregulation. Consequently, the most important question remains unanswered: can ertugliflozin reduce post-corticosteroid insulin elevations in horses already suffering from EMS or ID, where the risk of laminitis is greatest?

Further research is now needed to determine whether this treatment strategy can safely protect high-risk horses. If successful, ertugliflozin could become an important tool that allows veterinarians to continue using corticosteroid joint injections while reducing the metabolic complications that may accompany them.

 

For more details,see:

1) Allen E Page,  Jenna L McPeek,  Ella McGreevy,  Sophia Carattini,  Emma N Adam.  

Treatment with ertugliflozin mitigates the hyperinsulinemic response to intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide. 

Equine Vet J.  2026.

https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70150

 

2) Cara Darch, Timothy H. Hyndman, David Byrne, David Ian Rendle, Barny Fraser,

Ertugliflozin decreases the insulin spike in non-insulin dysregulated standardbred horses following intra-articular triamcinolone administration,

Domestic Animal Endocrinology, (2026) Vol 96,107016,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2026.107016

Free articles on equine infectious disease and Microbiology in EVJ Special Collection

© Golop Dreamstime.com

The March 2026 issue of Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) highlights major advances in equine infectious disease and microbiology, with a Special Collection dedicated to the equine microbiome. The issue, which is free to access for 12 weeks, features 30 research papers spanning a wide range of diseases, body systems, and pathogens. Many of the studies involve international collaboration, reflecting the global importance of managing infectious diseases in horses.

Equine infectious disease remains a key research focus for veterinarians and scientists because of its impact on horse health, welfare, and the equine industry. The special issue identifies three major themes: the importance of national disease surveillance programmes, the need for accurate and definitive diagnoses, and the value of comparing diseases across different animal species to better understand how pathogens behave.

Several studies focus on improvements in diagnostic techniques, particularly for equine fever, equine influenza, and gastrointestinal parasites. These advances aim to support faster detection of disease and enable earlier implementation of biosecurity measures, which can help reduce transmission between horses.

Research into gastrointestinal diseases also features prominently. Studies explore the use of metabolic profiling to detect equine proliferative disease earlier in foals, investigate possible causes of colitis, and emphasise the importance of additional diagnostic testing for chronic hepatitis and liver failure in cases linked to hepacivirus infection. Together, these findings may support earlier intervention and improved disease management.

Antimicrobial resistance is another significant area of concern. One survey found that nearly 40% of hospitalised horses received at least one antimicrobial treatment. Research linked to colic surgery suggests that using antimicrobials for more than 24 hours after surgery is unnecessary for preventing complications, highlighting opportunities to reduce antibiotic use and slow the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Several papers examine diseases affecting multiple body systems. For example, updated guidance on equine botulism emphasises its importance as a differential diagnosis when horses show neurological signs. Other studies investigate multisystem diseases by comparing similar infections in other species, helping researchers better understand how diseases develop and present in horses.

Blood-related infectious diseases are also discussed. Two systematic reviews examine equine trypanosomiasis, focusing on its prevalence, management, and control strategies. Another study introduces a new diagnostic tool for detecting Theileria haneyi, a parasite associated with equine piroplasmosis, and reports the first evidence of its presence in China.

Regionally important diseases are highlighted through research on Hendra virus, which uses government and field data to study how domestic horses may act as bridging hosts for zoonotic pathogens. Another study shows that horses infected with African Horse Sickness virus can develop severe blood clotting disorders that cause significant bleeding. Research also suggests that equine encephalosis virus should be considered when diagnosing African Horse Sickness in regions where both diseases occur.

The issue also examines reproductive health, with one study linking Escherichia coli infection to reduced fertility in Thoroughbred broodmares. Another uses multi-omics technology to study nocardioform placentitis, proposing that the condition be renamed mucoid placentitis due to the variety of bacteria involved.

Respiratory disease research forms a major section, including several studies on strangles. Findings emphasise the importance of screening, quarantine, monitoring, and disease reporting to improve prevention. Additional studies investigate respiratory disease caused by Rhodococcus equi, equine influenza vaccination strategies, and the use of air sampling in stables as a non-invasive surveillance method for equine herpesvirus.

Other research explores infectious skin diseases and rare ulcerative conditions, demonstrating the importance of obtaining accurate diagnoses and comparing disease patterns across species when treatment data in horses is limited.

The Special Focus section also includes a dedicated collection on the equine microbiome, updating earlier research published in 2019. This collection highlights rapid progress in understanding the complex communities of microorganisms that influence equine health.

Overall, the research presented in this EVJ issue aims to improve disease detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. These advances are expected to strengthen equine welfare globally while supporting the livelihoods of communities that depend on horses for work and transport.

The Special Focus Issue is available here:

 https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/20423306/2026/58/2

Managing insulin dysregulation in horses: a role for nutraceuticals

(c) Brian Sedgbeer Dreamstime.com

Insulin resistance (IR) and insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses are major risk factors for developing laminitis; a painful and potentially debilitating condition. While some horses are genetically predisposed to IR, diet also plays a critical role in its development. Because of this, there's growing interest in whether specific dietary strategies, including the use of nutraceuticals, can help reduce the risk.

A recent study led by Caroline Loos and her colleagues at the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center, and published in the journal Animals,  explored whether supplementing the diet with a specific combination of nutrients could help improve insulin regulation in horses that are prone to IR. 

The trial involved 16 mature horses with a known history of insulin dysregulation. The horses were split into two groups:

• One group received a nutraceutical supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, vitamin E, and active yeast.
• The other group received a placebo.

Both supplements were given once daily for four weeks. During the study, horses were kept on dry lots, had free access to grass hay, and were also fed a grain concentrate twice daily (providing 0.5 g of starch per kg of body weight per meal).

To assess the horses’ insulin regulation, each underwent a Combined Glucose–Insulin Tolerance Test (CGIT) at the start and end of the trial. The CGIT is a diagnostic test commonly used in equine medicine to evaluate how effectively a horse’s body clears glucose from the bloodstream in response to insulin. During the test, horses receive a bolus (injection) of glucose and insulin, and blood samples are collected over a 150-minute period to track how quickly glucose and insulin levels return to baseline. The faster the return to normal, the better the horse’s insulin sensitivity.

After four weeks of supplementation, horses receiving the nutraceutical showed notable improvements:

• 61% faster glucose clearance compared to the placebo group.
• Shorter time for blood glucose levels to return to normal.
• Lower insulin levels at 75 minutes post-test, indicating reduced hyperinsulinemia.
• Glucose concentrations were also lower at 45 minutes post-test in the supplemented group.

In contrast, horses in the placebo group still had elevated insulin levels 150 minutes after the test, suggesting poorer insulin regulation.

These findings suggest that prophylactic use of specific nutraceuticals may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of insulin-associated laminitis, particularly in horses consuming high-starch diets. By supporting faster glucose clearance and lowering insulin levels, this approach may offer a valuable management tool for horses at risk of ID or IR.

While more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits, this study highlights the potential of targeted dietary supplementation in supporting metabolic health in horses.

 

For more details, see:

 

Loos, Caroline, Annette Castelein, Eric Vanzant, Emma Adam, and Kyle R. McLeod. 

Nutraceutical Supplement Mitigates Insulin Resistance in Horses with a History of Insulin Dysregulation During a Challenge with a High-Starch Diet

Animals (2024) 14, no. 23: 3385. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233385

Survey on SGLT2 Inhibitor Use in Horses with EMS or PPID

(c) Brian Sedgbeer Dreamstime.com

Have you used an SGLT2 inhibitor (one of the          "-flozin" drugs) to treat your horse? If so, the Equine
Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group (ECIR) invites you to contribute to an important research initiative.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), such as ertugliflozin and canagliflozin, are increasingly used to manage equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), particularly in horses with laminitis that has not responded to dietary changes. These drugs have shown potential benefits, including reducing serum insulin levels, aiding weight loss, and improving laminitis associated with hyperinsulinemia.

However, concerns have arisen about possible side effects, such as elevated serum triglycerides and liver enzyme levels, lethargy, and increased drinking and urination.

Dr. Kellon of the ECIR Group has created a survey to investigate factors that may influence the outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitor use in horses. This includes individual horse characteristics, comorbidities, and dietary factors that may contribute to or mitigate adverse effects.

If you are an owner, veterinarian, or caretaker of a horse receiving one of these drugs—such as canagliflozin, ertugliflozin, or dapagliflozin—you are encouraged to participate in the survey. Your insights will help enhance understanding and improve the management of metabolic disorders in horses and ponies.

The survey can be found here www.surveymonkey.com/r/YM5JD9G 

 

See also:

Eleanor M. Kellon, V.M.D. (Equine Nutritional Solutions) 

www.drkellon.com

 

Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc.

www.ecirhorse.org

Testing for insulin dysregulation after transportation could lead to a false positive result

(c) Anna Cvetkova Dreamstime.com

Recent research indicates that conducting tests to identify insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses after transportation may lead to false positive results.

The oral sugar test (OST) is commonly used to assess insulin dysregulation, a key component of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This test involves taking blood samples at specific intervals before and after administering a dose of sugar, typically in the form of corn syrup. By analysing blood glucose and insulin levels, the OST evaluates how the horse’s body processes a sudden intake of sugar.

 

As this is a time-consuming test, it is often more practical to perform it in a clinic setting. However, recent findings have shown that transportation may influence test outcomes, potentially leading to false positives—where a horse with normal insulin function appears to have ID.

 

Dr. Erica Jacquay and Dr. Amanda Adams from the University of Kentucky, in collaboration with the WALTHAM™ Equine Studies Group, conducted a study to examine the effects of short-term transportation on stress parameters and insulin responses to the OST in horses both with and without ID. The research was recently published in the Equine Veterinary Journal.

 

The study involved seven non-pregnant ID mares and seven non-pregnant non-ID mares, all experienced with transportation. The horses were transported in groups for approximately 1.5 hours to and from their home base by the same driver. An OST (0.15 mL/kg body weight Karo Light Corn Syrup) was conducted 24 hours before and 3 hours after the journey.

 

The findings revealed that both serum and salivary cortisol levels significantly increased due to transportation, with no differences observed between ID and non-ID horses. As expected, the ID mares showed higher insulin responses to the OST on both occasions. 

 

However, in 5 out of 7 non-ID mares, post-travel OST insulin levels surpassed the diagnostic threshold for ID, suggesting that these horses could have been mistakenly diagnosed with insulin dysregulation. Additionally, some ID mares showed post-travel T60 OST insulin levels that were more than double their pre-transportation levels.

 

These results imply that real-world testing conditions, including transportation, may lead to misdiagnoses of insulin dysregulation and inappropriate classification of horses as having EMS.

 

“This research is an important step in improving our understanding of insulin dysregulation and EMS,” said Dr Pat Harris, head of the WALTHAM™ Equine Studies Group which provides the science behind the SPILLERS brand. “The findings show that performing an OST three hours after short-term transportation may result in inaccurate ID status, whether testing a new case or monitoring the status of an ID horse. In addition, special care should be given when transporting horses with ID especially those with a history of hyperinsulinaemia- associated laminitis.

 

“Further studies are needed to determine the best timing of diagnostic testing if transporting horses to a veterinary clinic for OSTs.”

 

For more details, see:

 

Jacquay ET, Harris PA, Adams AA. T

he impact of short-term transportation stress on insulin and oral sugar responses in insulin dysregulated and non-insulin dysregulated horses. 

Equine Vet J. 2024.

https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14403

Warning of possible adverse effects of SGLT2i on horses.

© Brian Sedgbeer Dreamstime.com

A group of veterinary experts have issued a warning regarding the potential adverse effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in horses. In a letter published in the Veterinary Record, Bruce McGorum and clinicians from leading veterinary hospitals like the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, Rossdales Equine Hospital, the University of Liverpool, and the Royal Veterinary College expressed their concerns.

These medications, such as ertugliflozin and canagliflozin, are increasingly used to treat equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), particularly in horses with laminitis that hasn't responded to dietary adjustments. While these drugs have shown promise in reducing serum insulin concentrations, promoting weight loss, and managing laminitis related to hyperinsulinemia, concerns have been raised about significant adverse effects.

 

Minor side effects reported include increased serum triglycerides and liver enzymes, dullness, and increased drinking and urination. However, more serious cases have shown markedly elevated serum triglycerides (above 40 mmol/L), increased liver enzymes (such as GGT, GLDH, LDH), and bile acids, indicating potential liver damage or dysfunction. These biochemical changes were also accompanied by clinical signs such as dullness, loss of appetite, gastric impaction, bilateral laryngeal paralysis, hepatic encephalopathy, and, in some cases, death.

 

Due to these risks, the experts recommend that SGLT2 inhibitors be used only in horses that have not responded to adequate dietary or exercise management, or those with severe laminitis. 

 

Additionally, they advise against using these medications in horses with pre-existing liver disease or hyperlipaemia and emphasize the importance of regular monitoring of diet, liver enzymes, serum triglycerides, and bile acids. Horse owners should be educated about the signs of hyperlipaemia and the potential risks involved in the use of these drugs.

 

Further research is needed to fully understand the risk factors and adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in horses. Until then, their use should be restricted to cases where other treatment options have failed.

For more details, see:

B C McGorum, J A Keen, S McCullagh, CM Marr, C MacKenzie, H Carslake, N Menzies-Gow, Bettina Dunkel, M Hewetson, J Reed, E Knowles.

Potential adverse effects of SGLT2i in horses 

Veterinary Record (2024) vol 195, 253

Do endocrine disorders affect anthelmintic performance?

Recent research indicates that insulin dysregulation may affect the performance of anthelmintics
like ivermectin. This suggests that horses with such endocrine disorders might be more prone to parasitic infections.

In a study conducted by Martin Nielsen and colleagues at the University of Kentucky, the response to ivermectin was evaluated in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), or neither condition. 

 

The study population was part of a special herd at the University of Kentucky’s Department of Veterinary Science, which included horses with and without these endocrine disorders. These horses were kept in permanent paddocks without pasture rotation or enhanced hygiene practices and received routine anthelmintic treatments: ivermectin in March or April and July or August, and moxidectin/praziquantel in November.

 

The study focused on senior horses (aged 13 years and over) and those with or without PPID, ID, or both. Out of 47 horses in the research herd, 19 met the criteria for inclusion. These horses, all with positive faecal worm egg counts, were treated with ivermectin at the recommended dose of 200 mcg/kg. Faecal samples were collected before treatment, two weeks post-treatment (for the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test, or FECRT), and then weekly until worm eggs reappeared in the faeces (Egg Reappearance Period, or ERP).

 

Two laboratory tests were employed to assess the response to ivermectin: the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) and the Egg Reappearance Period (ERP). For the FECRT, a reduction of at least 99.7% in worm egg counts is considered effective two weeks post-treatment. The ERP for ivermectin is typically 8-10 weeks.

 

The study found no significant differences in the effectiveness of ivermectin between the groups. However, the small sample size may have made it difficult to detect any potential differences. Overall, ivermectin was highly effective, with all horses showing a greater than 99.7% reduction in worm egg counts at the two-week mark. 

 

Nonetheless, the researchers observed that the ERP was shorter in horses with ID and those with both PPID and ID, at six and seven weeks respectively, compared to eight weeks for both the PPID-only and healthy control groups.

 

They suggest that their findings indicate a need for further investigation of the possible influence of endocrine disorders on anthelmintic performance in horses.

 

 

For more details, see:

 

M.K. Nielsen, C.A. Finnerty, N.E. Ripley, A.E. Page, M.E. McClendon, A.A. Adams,

Ivermectin performance in horses diagnosed with equine endocrine disorders,

Veterinary Parasitology, (2024) Vol 328,110182,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110182

Advances in endocrinology take centre stage in latest EVJ

The endocrine system plays an essential role in balancing the horse's health. Unfortunately, it is
prone to malfunction.

The March issue of the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) highlights the latest work advancing veterinary understanding of equine endocrinology.

  

In a press release, EVJ guest editor Melody de Laat, said “Knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of equine endocrinopathies has improved dramatically over the past 25 years, with progress driven by the publication of peer-reviewed papers and the application of evidence-based medicine.” 

   

Obesity, PPID (Equine Cushing’s), insulin dysregulation (ID), thyroid disorders and the effects of corticosteroid administration are all covered. Articles include:

 

• ·     The BEVA Primary Care Clinical Guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of PPID, directed at equine practitioners in an ambulatory setting. The evidence review supports clinical signs such as hyperhidrosis, regional adiposity, epaxial muscle atrophy, laminitis, weight loss, recurrent infections or delayed healing, behaviour changes, or polyuria and polydipsia as prompts for moderate suspicion of PPID in animals of more than 10 years of age. The review supports the assessment of basal plasma ACTH concentrations or ACTH responses to exogenous thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) administration. It also supports the use of pergolide as a therapy for PPID.

• ·   Lumbar vertebral bone density is decreased in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction explores the infrequent finding of pathological fractures in aged horses with advanced PPID.

• ·       Influence of feeding and other factors on adrenocorticotropin concentration and thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in horses and ponies and Clinical implications of imprecise sampling time for 10- and 30-minute thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation tests in horses stresses the importance of exact timing when these samples are collected. 

• ·      Obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disease conditions in Connemara ponies in Ireland showed a 50% prevalence of laminitis in obese ponies. 

• ·       Development of a body condition index to estimate adiposity in ponies and horses from morphometric measurements presents an alternative method for measuring adiposity.

• ·          Associations between feeding and glucagon-like peptide-2 in healthy ponies looks at the role of glucagon-like peptide-2 in the development of hyperinsulinaemia in ID.

• ·         Expression of the GCG gene and secretion of active glucagon-like peptide-1 varies along the length of intestinal tract in horses demonstrates that both the large and small intestines are sites of equine GLP-1 secretion and that the genetic coding is identical in horses with and without ID.

• ·            Relationships between total adiponectin concentrations and obesity in native-breed ponies in England and Short-term induced hyperinsulinaemia and dexamethasone challenge do not affect circulating total adiponectin concentrations in insulin-sensitive ponies show that total adiponectin is not as strongly correlated with body condition, body shape and breed as expected and inducing short-term ID does not alter total adiponectin concentrations. 

• ·            Factors associated with insulin responses to oral sugars in a mixed-breed cohort of ponies and Epidemiological investigation of insulin dysregulation in Shetland and Welsh ponies in Australia determine that the insulin response to oral sugar is associated with multiple variables but cannot be predicted from the physical appearance. 

• ·            Insulin, but not adiponectin, is detectable in equine saliva using an automated, commercial assay in a pilot study in the UK demonstrates that insulin is measurable in equine saliva, but this method is not currently a viable alternative to blood. 

• ·        The effect of pre-dosing with metformin on the insulin response to oral sugar in insulin-dysregulated horsesshows the lack of efficacy of metformin (dosed at 30 mg/kg) on the insulin response to an oral sugar test.

• ·           Intra-articular trimacinolone acetonide injection results in increases in systemic insulin and glucose concentrations in horses without insulin dysregulation shows that intra-articular triamcinolone does not result in circulating insulin concentrations likely to induce laminitis in insulin-sensitive animals. 

• ·           Diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders and thyroid hormone supplementation in adult horses and foals reviews thyroid gland pathophysiology in adult horses and foals, blood thyroid hormone concentrations and the use of T4 supplementation in equine practice. 

 

“This robust collection reflects the continual dedication of equine veterinary researchers to developing our understanding of equine endocrinology,” said Professor Celia Marr, Editor of the EVJ. “Such work is enabling the application of evidence-based medicine to improve the diagnosis, management, treatment and quality of life of animals with endocrine disorders.”

 

The March issue is available to read free:

 

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/20423306/2024/56/2

Funding offered for Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance research

The Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc. (ECIR Group) is now accepting funding requests for 2024. These proposals should focus on researching Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance (EMS/IR) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). 

The ECIR Group's mission is to improve the well-being of equines with metabolic disorders through a blend of basic research and practical clinical experience. Their primary objective is to prevent laminitis. 

 

"Quality scientific research is critical to the continuous advancement of knowledge to benefit metabolic equines." said Dr. Kathleen Gustafson, ECIR Group Inc. Research Director. "Our goal in 2024 is to fund research and encourage collaboration between scientists, scholars, veterinarians, and hoof care professionals to positively affect the health and welfare of these equines."

 

"Through the sharing of their in-the-barn experience, ECIR Group supporters have helped build effective protocols for metabolically challenged equines." said current President, Nancy Collins. "It is an honor that now, through member financial support, the ECIR Group has expanded to also fund equine metabolic research."

 

Proposals seeking funding should focus on EMS and PPID, covering topics such as diagnosis, diet, hoof care, exercise (referred to as DDT/E) and preventing laminitis. Any proposals meeting these criteria will be considered.

 

Applications must be submitted via the ecirhorse.org research portal. Deadline for submission is May 31, 2024.

 

Researchers will find more information at https://www.ecirhorse.org/research-proposals.php