On Dec 28, 2022, at 10:06 AM, Nancy C <threecatfarm@...> wrote:

Why Bute Doesn’t Work with Endocrine-related Laminitis,

On Dec 28, 2022, at 10:07 AM, Nancy C <threecatfarm@...> wrote:

Please take a moment for this update from Dr Gustafson
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Dear ECIR Group members,

As we wind down 2022, I want to take the opportunity to reach out to the membership and share the annual ECIR Research Report.

The ECIR Group has two research themes. The first is education. Our primary mission is to translate research to protocols that are most likely to quickly and significantly benefit horses with metabolic disorders. Education comes through several channels: notices regarding new research developments on the outreach group, the “Fact” series on Facebook every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, press releases through American Horse Publications, the ecirhorse.org website, educational videos, and NO Laminitis! Conference proceedings.

At the time of this report, the 2022 ECIR Facebook Fact series increased by 37.7%, reaching nearly 300,000 people. The Fact with the the greatest reach (over 25,000) was a case report on the effects of feeding free-choice hay that ultimately resulted in excessive weight gain, insulin resistance and, finally, laminitis in two horses. Following the ECIR DDT/E protocols resulted in a full recovery and complete soundness in both horses. This speaks to the need for continuing education for owners about the difference between slow feeding and free-choice feeding.

Through the press releases, Dr. Kellon has furthered education by writing several articles challenging misconceptions about the cause of EMS, for example, “Sugar Does Not Cause EMS,” “Why Bute Doesn’t Work with Endocrine-related Laminitis,” and “MMP Enzymes and Laminitis.”

Thanks to input from our membership, Dr. Kellon was recognized by the American Association of Equine Practitioners as part of their “Good Works” campaign. Good works are defined as selfless acts of giving back to the horse, for the sake of the horse, and the people they serve. I can’t think of a better description of Dr. Kellon’s contribution to the ECIR group and the mission the group services. Dr. Kellon said, “It’s an honor to be in the company of such wonderful veterinarians, but the work of ECIR is not only one person. There is an army of dedicated volunteers keeping this almost 10,000-member group working smoothly. Equally important are the members, owners, hoof professionals, and caretakers, who have gone out of their way to seek answers for their animals, contributing their data and sharing results so we can all move forward.”

The second theme is active research. In 2022, ECIR members from around the globe provided case histories for equines with refractory hyperinsulinemia – in other words, equines that continued to have high serum insulin despite dietary control and metformin treatment. Dr. Kellon and I compiled the reports and published the results in a publication, “Use of the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin for control of refractory equine hyperinsulinemia and laminitis.” See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36118716/  As a follow up to this publication, we reviewed the case histories to determine the incidence of elevated triglycerides in EMS and PPID horses treated with SGLT2 inhibitors and submitted the paper, currently under peer review.

Testing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels is the usual way that Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is diagnosed, but it’s not always accurate. Many early cases, and even some advanced cases, do not have abnormal levels of ACTH using a simple blood draw. In these cases, the Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) Response Test can make the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, the horse will be treated with pergolide, but questions remain about how to determine whether the dose is effective, since basal ACTH was normal before treatment. It makes sense that the TRH response would improve or normalize, but information on changes after treatment is limited. Therefore, the ECIR group sponsored a study designed to help answer this question. Over 40 group members participated by providing data. Results of the study are currently undergoing analysis.

None of this would be possible without the group members – those dedicated individuals who, despite feeling overwhelmed, follow the protocols, fill out the case histories, and then pay it forward either by volunteering or supporting the ECIR Group through donations that go to further the research mission.

Year-end is typically the busiest time for donations. Please think of ECIR Group as you contemplate your final donations. Every dollar received since Giving Tuesday will be matched and put towards research endeavors in 2023 and beyond. It is easy to donate via our trusted donor advised fund, Mighty Cause.

I want to personally thank you all! May 2023 bring all the best and good health to you and your beloved equine companions.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Gustafson, PhD
Director and Research Advisor, ECIR Group Inc.
Missouri, USA, 2005
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=3-I7UI0AAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

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Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003
ECIR Group Inc. President 2021-2022

ECIR Group NEW Case History site open to Early Adopters.