2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Horses of any age, breed, and sex from the continental US were eligible for study enrollment as long as they were documented to be exhibiting one or more of the following clinical signs: generalized or regional hypertrichosis, muscle wasting, abnormal fat distribution, lethargy, laminitis (unknown etiology), polyuria, polydipsia, susceptibility to infections, abnormal sweating, and/or inappropriate lactation. Normal horses were excluded from the study. At initial visit, demographic data, signalment, a physical examination was conducted. Clinical signs were documented and blood was drawn for basal ACTH, fasting insulin, and glucose. Blood samples were processed and shipped overnight to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY for analysis. The association between hyperinsulinemia (based on fasting insulin results), clinical signs and glucose were statistically evaluated individually using the Pearson chi-square test. Odds ratios for significant predictors of hyperinsulinemia were computed using corresponding 95% confidence intervals when applying multiple logistic regression analysis.