The case in summary • Horses can get a disease similar to diabetes, called EMS.• Agria Dyreforsikring has seen an increase in cases of EMS in horses from May to July compared to the same period last year.• The University of Ås is now testing human medicines on horses with EMS in an extensive study.• The horse Oda, who has EMS, took part in the study and the owner has seen a marked improvement in the horse’s condition.• The trials are now finished, but it says that many analyzes of data before the researchers can conclude on the correct use for the correct patient. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. It is not only humans who can have problems regulating insulin. Horses can get diseases similar to diabetes. It is called EMS. This summer, more horse owners than before have contacted Agria animal insurance about this. Agria animal insurance is experiencing a large increase in inquiries concerning diabetes in horses, says Camilla Stenseng, managing director of Agria animal insurance. Photo: Agria For reasons of competition, they do not wish to publish exact figures. Nevertheless, they confirm that from May to July this year, significantly more horse owners have reported comorbidities linked to diabetes, compared to the same period last year. Hope in a tough time For the Icelandic horse Oda, the disease EMS has had serious consequences. The diagnosis corresponds to diabetes 2. – She will never be able to walk on grass again. I ask myself if it is a worthy horse’s life, says owner, Jeanette Trzcinska Auen. The disease has caused Oda to have pain in his hooves, become sore in his body and unable to eat carrots. For owner Jeanette Trzcinska Auen, it has been a difficult choice whether the horse should be allowed to live or not. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news The choice to euthanize or keep Oda alive has hung over Jeanette’s shoulders for a long time. But in January they received an offer that gives hope. They had the opportunity to participate in a study where human medicines are tested on horses. Testing human medicine on horses It is the first time that such an extensive study as this has been carried out. The University of Ås (NMBU) collaborates with Sweden’s University of Agriculture (SLU) on the research project. A few years ago, few people knew what these diseases were, says Siv Hanche-Olsen, associate professor at the Veterinary College Dyresykehuset – Horse Hospital. Diabetes in horses can have disastrous consequences, such as inflammation of the hoof, which is extremely painful, she points out. Hanche-Olsen explains that just like humans, horses only get sugar through food. The roughage should therefore have a low sugar content. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news This is why this will be a life-saving treatment for many horses, she says. – There is no doubt that it has changed the lives of several of the horses that have taken part. Several of them have been on the way to being euthanized, so this has been a bit of a last chance, she says. Good results: The blue line shows the insulin level before treatment, and the red line shows the insulin level during treatment Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Overeating is the cause of the horses getting the disease, says Hanche-Olsen. The increase this summer is mostly about more awareness of the disease, she believes. The trials are now finished, but it is still said that many analyzes of data are needed before the researchers can conclude on the right use for the right patient. Significant change The Icelandic horse Oda is one of 40 horses that have participated in the study. Jeanette notices that the medication has helped. – I have seen a marked change. You can see it both on her and on blood tests, so it’s very exciting. The research project in which Oda and other horses with diabetes test human medicine gives hope for a better life, and Jeanette is already seeing the effect. Photo: Veslemøy / Prøis The horse owner believes the medicines will open new doors. – It can be a very good aid. At the same time, one must have human expectations.
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Human medicine gives hope for horses with diabetes – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
