How do you treat thyroid problems in horses?

Hypothyroidism in adult horses usually results from insufficient iodine intake and can be treated with thyroprotein or iodinated casein (a protein found in milk that is used as a binding agent). With treatment, these horses typically start showing improvement in two weeks.

Can horses have thyroid issues?

Younger horses, especially foals, have higher thyroid hormone concentrations than adult horses. Male horses and pregnant mares may have higher thyroid hormones, but some studies found no difference. Thyroid hormone concentrations are elevated during cold weather and decreased during hot.

How is thyroid myopathy treated?

Treatment involves restoring normal levels of thyroid hormone and may include thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and sometimes partial or complete surgical removal of the thyroid. With treatment, muscle weakness may improve or be reversed.

Where is the thyroid in a horse?

The thyroid gland is located in throat latch region below the larynx, the gland is bilobed, connected by a narrow isthmus. Anatomy: Located in throat latch region below the larynx, the gland is bilobed, connected by a narrow isthmus.

What are the symptoms of EMS in horses?

Clinical signs associated with EMS include obesity, difficulty losing weight, easily gaining weight and the development of fatty deposits, particularly in the crest of the neck. EMS horses may also have increased inflammatory responses.

What is Cushing disease in horses?

Equine Cushing’s disease is more correctly known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). It involves the pituitary gland, which is a gland located at the base of the brain that produces hormones in response brain signals.

What are signs of thyroid problems in horses?

Hyperthyroidism is rare in the horse, with few cases reported in the literature (1–3). Clinical signs include weight loss, tachypnea, tachycardia, poor hair coat, behavior changes, increased appetite, and cachexia (4). Most cases of hyperthyroidism in horses are caused by tumors of the thyroid gland (1–4).

What causes enlarged thyroid in horses?

If the lump is in the thyroid and it is goiter, then the enlargement is likely from an iodine deficiency or excess. If the horse is on a formulated feed, there is little chance of iodine deficiency. Excessive iodine is common in horses that are fed kelp or seaweed, or being given some kind of iodine supplement.

How long does it take to recover from hypothyroid myopathy?

Follow up. During treatment the complaints about weakness resolved in all patients within an average time of 3.6 months (SD 2.3); median: 2 months, which was shorter than the mean time to resolution of symptoms of hypothyroid patients (6.9 months, p<0.05, two tailedt test).

What causes horse goiter?

Goiter and hypothyroidism occur in foals of dams fed excess iodine during gestation. Mares supplemented with iodine at ≥35 mg/day may produce affected foals. Mineral supplements derived from kelp are a common source of excess iodine in the diet.