It’s unlikely for young horses to develop Cushing’s disease. Cushing syndrome is a hormonal disorder resulting from prolonged exposure to elevated levels of cortisol. While it can occur in horses, it’s more commonly diagnosed in older animals.
Can Young Horses Develop Cushing’s Disease?
Cushing’s syndrome, also known as Cushing’s disease, is rare in young horses. The disease is caused by overactivity of the adrenal cortex. It is most often diagnosed in horses in their middle age to senior years. Cushing’s disease is more common in women than in men and can appear during or just following pregnancy. It can occur at any age but most typically appears during the third to sixth decades of life.
What is Cushing’s Disease?
Cushing’s disease, or Cushing’s syndrome, results from the overactivity of the adrenal cortex. In humans, Cushing’s syndrome refers to all patients with classic symptoms and signs, regardless of the cause, while Cushing’s disease is restricted to patients whose symptoms and signs are caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone-(ACTH) secreting pituitary tumor.
What are the Symptoms of Cushing’s Disease?
Symptoms of Cushing’s disease include abnormal obesity of the face and trunk.
How is Cushing’s Disease Diagnosed?
Cushing’s disease is diagnosed through clinical findings that provide the link between specific physical characteristics and a specific type of pituitary tumor.
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