Develop your knowledge and understanding of equine metabolic syndrome. This is a one-part course that can also be taken as part of the Laminitis and laminitic syndromes course bundle.
This module looks at pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and outcomes of equine metabolic syndrome, including:
Cause – results from insulin dysregulation and is associated with an increase susceptibility to laminitis.
Signs – generalized obesity, regional adiposity (abnormal fat accumulation along crest and rump), recurrent/subacute/chronic laminitis, altered reproductive cycling in mares.
Diagnosis – resting serum insulin concentrations, oral glucose test or oral sugar test, combined glucose-insulin tolerance test or insulin tolerance test, rule out pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.
Treatment – weight loss if overweight/obese, exercise, treatment of laminitis as determined by the needs of individual patients. Pharmacological intervention, eg metformin or levothyroxine.
Prognosis – treatment can control clinical signs; largely predicated by the severity of laminitis lameness and associated hoof degradation.
Support and Resources
This online module includes an e-Book with content from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Equis followed by a quiz leading to a personalized certificate. Written by some of the world's leading veterinarians, ensuring accuracy and depth of content.
This course was written and peer reviewed by:
CPD Hours
This module is worth approximately 30 minutes of CPD.