Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a disorder of glucose metabolism characterized by obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. It is found in horses, ponies, and sometimes donkeys. Animals affected by this syndrome are predisposed to the development of laminitis. In addition to being overweight, they have excess fat in the tailhead and neck regions (referred to as crested neck). Diets rich in grains can result in stimulation of serum glucose and insulin production for sustained periods, and if excessive amounts of such diets are fed relative to exercise level, this may lead to obesity and the beginning of the cascade of events that constitutes EMS.

Patients suspected of having EMS or PPID should be evaluated for insulin dysregulation. The EEG recommends an oral sugar test (protocol and interpretation provided on EEG website provided above) that involves fasting of the animal followed by oral administration of corn syrup, and collection of blood 60 and 90 minutes later for determination of glucose and insulin concentrations.