JULY/AUGUST 2022
Volume 46, No 6
FASHION AND
FUNCTION British brand’s three decades
SELLING SAFETY
ETN is the official media partner of BETA International
LATEST RULES AND RETAIL TIPS
PLUS
• FEEDS FOR VETERANS WITH AMTRA CPD FEATURE
2022
11-13 September NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, UK Main Sponsor
Main Sponsor
BETA International 2022 Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
11-13 September 2022
NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, UK Main Sponsor
BETA International features a packed programme of events across three days of business
New location only 30 minutes from the airport
‘‘
New exhibitors and exclusive show
only offers
Our exhibitors say...
From start to finish, getting here, dealing with the venue and the organising team has been very easy and the NAEC really works. The industry now needs to support the trade fair and get the halls full in future years. We are 100 per cent pleased we came and business has been good. David Wright | PLATINUM AGENCIES
New Product Showcase sponsored by Shires Equestrian
‘‘
FREE and informative
seminar programme
Our visitors say...
I have been here all three days and it has been great to see so many people. The layout is very spacious and it is good to see major brands as well as the smaller ones just starting out in the industry.” Georgina Chapman | RIMELL SADDLERS, SHIPSTON IN STOUR
The first day was excellent, very very busy and we had a steady stream throughout. The show really has exceeded our expectations.
I always come to BETA International and the location of Stoneleigh is superb. There is so much to look at and as ever we have made new contacts and relationships that we can build on.
Monty Stuart-Monteith | SHAWS EQUESTRIAN
Liam Payne | LP EQUESTRIAN, WOLVERHAMPTON
‘‘
‘‘
FREE parking and FREE to attend | Register to visit www.beta-int.com
BOOK YOUR STAND NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Fiona Dagger | fiona.dagger@impact-exhibitions.com | or call 01892 862848
BETA International 2022 Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
11-13 September 2022
NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, UK Main Sponsor
A selection of leading brands already confirmed
FREE parking and FREE to attend | Register to visit www.beta-int.com Correct at time of going to press
BOOK YOUR STAND NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Fiona Dagger | fiona.dagger@impact-exhibitions.com | or call 01892 862848
ETN | CPD FEATURE ABOUT ETN’S RAMA/SQP FEATURES ETN’s series of CPD features helps RAMAs (Registered Animal Medicines Advisors/SQPs) earn the CPD (continuing professional development) points they need. The features are accredited by AMTRA, and highlight some of the most important subject areas for RAMAs/ SQPs specialising in equine and companion animal medicine. AMTRA is required by the Veterinary Medicines Regulations to ensure its RAMAs/SQPs undertake CPD. All RAMAs/SQPs must earn a certain number of CPD points in a given period of time in order to retain their qualification. RAMAs/SQPs who read this feature and submit correct answers to the questions below will receive two CPD points. For more about AMTRA and becoming a RAMA/SQP, visit www.amtra.org.uk
UNDERSTANDING CUSHING’S SYNDROME (PPID) By Dr Andy Richardson BVSc CertAVP(ESM) MRCVS - Veterinary Director, NAF; and Kate Hore RNutr(Animal) R.Anim.Technol - Head Nutritionist, NAF.
T
he discovery of Cushing’s Syndrome dates back to 1932 when neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing described a link between typical physical characteristics and a tumour of the pituitary gland. First recognised in people, Cushing’s Syndrome can also affect pets (dogs more so than cats), but it is most usually with our equine customers where we find ourselves discussing Cushing’s. The clinical name is Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), which describes a disruption in normal function of the pituitary, at the base of the brain, whose predominant role relates to hormone control throughout the body.
Photo: Frank Fennema/Shutterstock.com
Age-related With an ageing equine population, care of the older horse and pony is an ever-growing area of welfare. Knowledge of PPID is useful in store, to allow us to advise owners of older equines correctly. Age is a clear risk factor for Cushing’s. While its prevalence in the general equine population is less than 3%, estimates for incidence in equines above 15 years are around 21%. However, a recent mortality study in the Netherlands found nearly half of older equines (>15yrs) had PPID. Signs and diagnosis Often the signs of Cushing’s can be confused with general ageing, and this may, at least in part, explain why owner-reported prevalence of PPID in older horses is much lower than veterinary diagnosed rates. Therefore, when advising owners with older horses, it is useful to recognise the signs so we can discuss PPID and suggest they consult their vet. Signs of Cushing’s Syndrome in equines • Hair coat abnormalities, particularly Hirsutism (excessive hair growth) • Laminitis • Abnormal fat deposits, particularly around the eyes • Muscle wastage and atrophy 42 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS JULY/AUGUST 2022
• Polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyuria (increased urination) • Lethargy and depression • Increased susceptibility to disease Changes to coat condition are often what the owner associates with Cushing’s, though mild changes in the early stages can be mistaken for general ageing. Muscle wastage and atrophy (shrinkage) of the neck, back and hindquarters is positively associated with increasing age, which could be due a number of reasons including simply a change in their exercise regimes. However, we also see muscle changes as linked to PPID, and so a change in topline might not be due to old age alone. Improving owners’ ability to recognise those early signs will help early diagnosis and welfare, as often it is the more severe signs, such as laminitis, where owners are first aware. Development of a scoring system for muscle atrophy, similar to body condition scoring, is currently ongoing, and is encouraging as a potentially reliable, easy to use, method for owner assessment of older horses. Further to clinical signs, veterinary diagnosis is usually via a basal adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) blood test, often repeated for confirmation and monitoring. However, variability in test results, particularly seasonally, is recognised, with normal references ranges being higher in the autumn. A thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test can be more accurate, though not routinely done due to increased costs and potential for transient side effects noted with intravenous TRH administration. For this reason, the TRH stimulation test is usually reserved for horses with borderline results, where the owner is wanting further clarity. Veterinary treatment Once diagnosed, veterinary treatment of clinical signs is through daily oral administration of the dopaminergic agonist, Pergolide, and is life-long. However, owner compliance is poor, with a recent study showing administration compliance in less than half of PPID cases studied. WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM
CPD FEATURE | ETN
Age is a clear risk factor for Cushing’s
Compliance was lowest in owners of geriatric horses (26yrs+), and generally closely associated with age, reflecting an unwillingness of owners to give long-term medication to older horses and ponies. Poor compliance is not unusual in equine medicine, with owners often preferring to look for natural or dietary approaches. For PPID, that may be compounded by the fact that posttreatment tests show Pergolide only returns horses to normal parameters in 24% of cases. Poor palatability of Pergolide and behavioural changes, such as lethargy, inappetance and behavioural changes, are also commonly reported, and likely to impact owner compliance. Dietary advice Targeted dietary support may be recommended, and can be advised alongside veterinary approaches. Gut support is useful as weight loss is a relatively common sign, reported in approximately one third of veterinary examinations. Additionally, as knowledge of the vital role of the microbiome and gut-brain axis in both behavioural and neurological disorders across species grows, then it makes sense to support the hindgut with prebiotics and live probiotics in all older animals, but particularly where dysfunction, such as PPID, has been recognised. The clinical sign of depression is often one of the most upsetting signs for owners, and being able to support that through the diet, the author personally finds very rewarding. Adaptogenic herbs, such as Siberian Ginseng and Omicha
Gynostemma, appropriately also known as ‘immortality herb’, is of particular interest for equine PPID.
can also be useful in this respect, as adaptogens literally help the body adapt, and are particularly interesting in age related changes. One such herb, Gynostemma, appropriately also known as ‘immortality herb’, is of particular interest for equine PPID, as its actives combine adaptogenic roles with insulin regulation, which itself is often linked to laminitis and PPID. Perhaps the best-known herb for Cushing’s is Chasteberry, or Vitex agnus castus, recognised for its endocrine actives, CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE
WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM
EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS JULY/AUGUST 2022 | 43