Horse Cushing's Disease

Cushing's disease in horses is brought about by a tumor that affects the pituitary gland, the gland responsible for regulating many body functions in the animal. Cushing's disease makes the cells in the gland become overactive, which causes the pituitary to produce excess amounts of certain hormones. The symptoms of Cushing's disease are the result of this process, but once diagnosed, there is successful treatment for Cushing's disease.

  1. Time Frame

    • Most horses that have Cushing's disease are in their later years, with 20 years old being the average age of diagnosis. However, it can afflict horses as young as 7 or 8 years old.

    Thick Curly Coats

    • One of the classic symptoms of Cushing's is a thick coat of wavy hair that does not shed in the spring and summer months. This will then precipitate sweating, which in turn can cause skin problems.

    Thirst

    • While a healthy horse consumes 5 to 8 gallons of water a day, a horse with Cushing's will become so thirsty that it will drink as much as 20 gallons. Horses with this disease will take on a pot-bellied appearance.

    Other Symptoms

    • Horses suffering from Cushing's disease will be listless and lackluster, and will have an increased appetite. However, they will fail to put on weight despite eating more. The immune system will also be affected, allowing such ailments as respiratory disease, foot problems and gum disease.

    Diagnosis

    • Various tests can detect Cushing's disease once it is suspected from the clinical signs. A dexamethasone suppression test and one known as adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation can determine hormone levels in the blood that indicate Cushing's disease is present.

    Treatment

    • There is no cure for Cushing's, but it can be dealt with to allow the horse to live a normal life in many cases. Various drugs are available that can control the hormone levels. Carefully monitoring how much the horse drinks can let the owner know if it is improving.