ACTH is a drug that will suppress the immune system and may alter a horse’s disposition (IAHA Drugs and Medication Study-Table 1). It is not only a drug, but also

Another disease that has a direct correlation with the use of injected ACTH is Addison’s disease. This disease is the direct opposite of Cushing’s disease. Addison’s disease is caused when there isn’t enough cortisol being produced. This can be cause by the use of injected ACTH. The body will get used to the high levels of cortisol, then when the horse is taken off injected ACTH withdrawal symptoms can take place. Symptoms can be dark tanning patches on pressure points and scars, and excessive diarrhea followed by dehydration and sudden intense abdominal pains (Chin). Addison’s disease is known to cause the body to produce rare tumors that may affect the function of the adrenal glands (Chin). Often certain tumors are produced in the body and can produce ACTH. When those tumors are surgically removed, ACTH levels may drop and cause a corresponding drop in cortisol secretion. Ways to treat Addison’s disease are to replace the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making (Chin).

Many people would prefer to use ACTH instead of the simple pain relievers because it does not show up in a drug test. ACTH is not testable because of the body’s natural ability to produce the cortisol in ACTH. Since there is no way to test for ACTH people continue to use it illegally. If too much cortisol is being produced or administered it can lead to Cushing’s disease. A higher level of cortisol in the blood for longer lengths of time can cause a horse to become dependent. A horse that has been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease is known to drink vast amounts of water, as much as twenty gallons per day and urinate regularly (“Cushing’s Disease” tscnet.com). Cushing’s horses are also known for their thick, wavy and coarse hair coats that often fail to shed out in the summertime (“Cushing’s Disease” The Pituitary Foundation). This disease can also cause the horse to lose muscle mass on its backbone. Plus horses that have Cushing’s disease are more susceptible to other diseases because of the weakened immune system (“Cushing’s Disease” The Pituitary Foundation). By injecting various levels of ACTH in the body at a given time is a result of an abnormally high level of the circulating hydrocortisone causes Cushing’s Disease (Flores). The high level can result in a tumor in the adrenal gland or an enlargement of the adrenal gland, which can lead to a tumor in the pituitary gland (Flores). ACTH levels ar

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