Are there blood abnormalities in horses with EMS?
These horses have high glucose and insulin concentrations. Blood lipids (triglycerides) and liver enzymes may be elevated. A misconception is that horses with EMS have hypothyroidism because thyroid hormones are low. This is not true, as hypothyroidism is extremely rare in horses. Are there other equine diseases associated with insulin resistance? Other diseases with insulin resistance include Cushing’s disease and hyperlipemia. Horses with Cushing’s disease often have insulin resistance and laminitis; however, they have a long hair coat in the warm season and their body condition is poor. Hyperlipemia, a disease of miniature horses, ponies and donkeys, is acute, with complications in other body systems (diarrhea, colic, renal failure). How is EMS diagnosed? The clinical signs, as described above, are highly suggestive of EMS. In addition to baseline glucose and insulin concentrations, there are specific diagnostic tests for EMS. These include the glucose tolerance test and the combine
