How to Treat a Horse With Cushing's Disease

Cushing's disease is one of the most common diseases in horses that are 15 years and older. The disease is usually caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, which because of the tumor produces excess hormones that overstimulate the adrenal gland. The adrenal glands then produce too much cortisol, a steroid hormone that helps control many of the horse's bodily functions. Excess cortisol can lead to Cushing's disease, the most common symptoms of which are an excessively hairy coat, even in the summer, extreme thirst and excessive urination. Cushing's disease can't be cured, but there are things you can do, and drugs you can administer, that will allow your horse to live more comfortably.

Things You'll Need

  • Medication
  • Grass hay
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Instructions

    • 1

      Medicate your horse, following what your vet prescribes. As of July 2010, vets are using pergolide, which stimulates the release of dopamine to help control the pituitary gland, or cyproheptadine. Sometimes the drugs are used in combination. There are a few other drugs that are occasionally prescribed, but these two are the most common.

    • 2

      Pasture or stable your horse in as stress-free an environment as possible. Because cortisol is normally released in times of stress, and a horse with Cushing's is already producing too much of it, it is important to keep his stress levels down. Don't turn your horse out with horses who may try to dominate it. However, if your horse is used to being pastured with friends, don't separate him from his "herd." This will cause your horse too much anxiety. Instead, separate out the aggressive animals, if possible.

    • 3

      Feed your horse a grass hay that is low in starch and sugar. Alfalfa (a legume) hays and grains are too rich for horses with Cushing's disease, especially those who are prone to the hoof disease known as foundering.

    • 4

      Monitor your horse's health constantly. If the tumor on the pituitary gland grows, your horse's symptoms can worsen. Also, horses with Cushing's disease are more prone to laminitis, so it is important to watch for symptoms such as limping, in case your horse begins to founder.

    • 5

      Schedule regular visits by the vet and the farrier. Because high levels of cortisol can suppress a horse's immune system, your horse will be more prone to diseases and infections, so proper care is very important.

    • 6

      Clip your horse's coat in the summer if it is still hairy, even after medication treatment. In the winter, blanket your horse when it is cold. A horse with Cushing's may have trouble maintaining its body temperature even with medication, so you will need to watch your horse for any signs that he is suffering from the effects of weather.