Cushing's Syndrome vs. Disease

["Joy VanNoy" <joy@auburnlabs.com>]

Dear Maggie,

 

Cushing's Syndrome refers to the effects of too much cortisol in the body.  This can be caused by several different things - 

1.  a tumor on the pituitary gland - pituitary adenoma

2. a tumor on the adrenal gland

3. a reduced sensitivity of the receptor sites in the hypothalamus system to cortisol, causing the body to produce more and more. 

 

The end effect in each of these situations, is too much cortisol in the body.  I would highly recommend that you have your vet examine and, if appropriate, perform a dexamethasone suppression test.  If the horse's blood cortisol level is NOT reduced below a specific level, the horse is considered to have Cushing's Syndrome.  The most common cause being the pituitary adenoma.  The two drugs which are routinely used to manage this condition are cyproheptidine and Permax (brand name).

 

What this DOES NOT tell you is whether the horse also is experiencing problems with the other two causes of Cushing's Syndrome.

 

If the horse's blood level of cortisol DOES drop below a specific level with the dexamethasone administration, then it is not likely that you are dealing with a tumor.  In these cases many are experiencing good results with using chromiun picolinate (you can get it at GNC, etc.) per day.  It is believed that the chromium picolinate helps increase the individual cells' sensitivity to the effects of insulin.

 

Again, I can't emphasis enough the need to have your veterinarian examine and provide specific advise for your horse.  Cushing's Syndrome is a complex endocrine disorder with serious consequences.

 

Michael Van Noy, DVM

www.auburnlabs.com