Kryptopyrroluria, commonly referred to as KPU for short, has been known in Germany since 2012. Is this a new metabolic disease in horses or perhaps more of a collective term for all kinds of vague complaints in horses? In any case, it does clarify a number of complaints in horses. A treatment plan has therefore been designed, which consists of several phases. Certain herbs, among other things, as well as vitamins and minerals play an important role in it. It is mainly the intestines and liver that need extra support in this disease, so that they function better and also absorb nutrients better.
- General
- Causes of KPU
- Complaints to KPU
- Establish KPU
- Treatment plan KPU for horses
- Phase 1: Heal the intestines
- Phase 2: detoxification of the intestines
General
KPU is a detoxification disorder in horses, the cause of which is a disturbed intestinal flora. The intestinal mucous membranes are affected and inflamed. As a result, the liver is also burdened with more toxins. The intestines themselves become so disrupted by the damage to the mucous membranes that they can no longer do their job properly, among other things many nutrients are no longer, or no longer sufficiently, absorbed from the food. As a result, all kinds of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which in turn cause all kinds of complaints themselves. Christina Fritz is the Tierheilprakterin in Germany who often encounters this disease in horses.
Causes of KPU
KPU in horses can have several possible causes. The intestines can be affected and weakened by several things. For example, the cause of KPU can lie in:
- give too little roughage
- feeding too much protein
- administering too much concentrate (too many sugars and starch)
Complaints to KPU
The complaints that horses have at KPU are sometimes very vague and they can also be very different complaints such as:
- liver and kidney problems
- mug
- colic
- poor hoof quality, rock beam, laminitis
- thin manure
- recurring lameness
- problems with tendons and ligaments
The list is actually too long to mention and every horse will get the complaints in his or her weak spot. But when the intestines are restored, the horse will be completely healed again.
Establish KPU
KPU can be determined by a urine test. This then indicates the KPU value (says something about the horse’s metabolism) and the Indikan value (says something about the health of the intestines). The KPU value should be below 30, the indikan value preferably below 1. The test can be done in Germany, see the website of sension.eu. The test costs 50 euros, or if you only want to determine the individual value, 18 euros (2015).
Treatment plan KPU for horses
If the indikan value and the KPU value are increased, then there is a treatment plan. You can have this plan drawn up especially for your horse, but there is also a general guideline. There are always a few things that need to be changed or addressed:
- change feed
- heal intestines
- feeding supplements
The approach consists of two phases, in which changing the feed is a first requirement. Furthermore, various supplements will have to be given.
Phase 1: Heal the intestines
Phase 1 consists of three parts:
- Feed change
- Sanitizing the intestines
- Add extra zinc and p-5-p
Feed change
With increased values it is important to revise your horse’s feed. The horse should be fed food that is as low in sugars as possible to help the intestines recover. Ideally, only hay is fed. Do not give silage or hay forage as roughage. Plus, if possible, no concentrate. If concentrate is nevertheless required, then preferably barley and / or oats.
Sanitizing the intestines
There are several to help the intestines recover spice mixes possible. In Germany in 2016 there are two companies that offer ready-to-use mixes for the recovery, these are the companies Pernaturam and Okapi. They offer bitter herbs that restore the intestines. Pernaturam, which Ostpreussenkräuter offers as a supplement, is somewhat cheaper than Okapi. There may also be companies that offer these herbs separately.
In addition to giving bitter herbs, you also serve a number of weeks licorice root to give to your horse. Licorice root has a soothing effect on the intestinal mucous membranes. Be careful with licorice root and never give it longer than two to four weeks in a row.
The intestinal recovery time can vary from six months to as much as two years.
Add zinc and p-5-p
In addition to healing the intestines, it is necessary to provide the body with extra support with zinc and p-5-p during that period of healing. Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (p-5-p) is the active form of vitamin B6. These two substances help the intestines to heal the body, p-5-p also supports the liver in detoxifying. Again, it is Pernaturam and Okapi who offer ready-to-use products for this. Pernaturam sells Equikapur for it, Okapi offers a similar product to Heparkpuforte. So both products contain zinc and p-5-p. But you can also choose to offer the zinc and p-5-p separately, which is often a lot cheaper. The amounts per day are then for:
- p-5-p about 50 to 100 mg
- zinc 200 to 400 mg
Phase 2: detoxification of the intestines
After the intestines have recovered, it is sometimes recommended to also detoxify the intestines with spirulina, among other things, but not every horse owner follows this phase 2.
The whole healing process can sometimes take a few years. An interim check by re-urine test is then possible to see the progress.