KPU what is it?
Kryptopyrrolurie (KPU) is unfortunately a very widespread detoxification disorder in horses. The cause lies in a disturbed intestinal gut flora. These beneficial microorganisms not only digest the cellulose from hay and pasture grass but also produce a variety of essential nutrients for the horse. These include essential amino acids and activated vitamins. In particular, activated vitamin B6 in the form of Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate is required by the horse’s liver to effectively “neutralise” waste products and toxins and make them excretable. If the intestinal gut flora is disrupted, for example by feeding haylage, too long a break in feeding or short portions of structured feed (‘chaff’), this can lead to incorrect fermentation and thus to a shift in the sensitive intestinal environment. Stress also appears to play an important role.
Once the gut flora is out of balance, the horse no longer has enough P5P available to allow detoxification to occur normally in the liver. The metabolism now takes alternative routes to dispose of at least some of the toxins and waste products: it binds them to trace elements such as selenium or zinc. This is often the first noticeable sign in the blood test: selenium deficiency and a zinc level that falls within the lower limit range. A KPU therapy makes sense then.
What needs to be done?
Stabilise the hind gut
The first step is to stabilise the intestines so that the natural gut symbionts can regrow and displace the harmful microbes. This can be achieved through optimising the feed and daily management.
Depending on how long the disorder has been present, and how severe the shift into the bad gut bacteria was, it can sometimes take years for the intestinal flora to function completely normally again. Especially when symptoms such as summer eczema, laminitis, or signs of Cushing’s disease (Pseudo-Cushing’s) have already developed, it often takes a long time to restore the metabolism to its natural balance.
Feeding micronutrients
Based on our experience, during this time, it is useful to support the horse with micronutrients that are depleted due to KPU. This primarily includes activated vitamin B6, which is required for the natural detoxification function. But also activated vitamin B12, which the body needs for haemoglobin synthesis as well as for healthy nerve sheaths. It is not without reason that KPU horses often have very poor haemoglobin and erythrocyte levels in their blood count and appear weak in training. The storage of trace element zinc is usually depleted in horses with KPU disorder and must therefore be replenished. In this case, a supplement over and above the normal supply of mineral feed is used. Horses with KPU disorder also suffer from a sulphur deficiency due to the usually chronic inflammation in the intestinal gut mucosa membrane.
This often manifests itself in poor hoof horn, poor quality or slow growth, breaking hoof walls or even skin and coat problems such as poor shedding, poor coat quality, thin long hair, or eczematous changes to the skin.
To support the micronutrient supply, we recommend OKAPI HeparKPU forte, which was specifically developed, after long standing experience to support horses with a KPU therapy. In addition to the essential nutrients for KPU horses, it also contains selected plant extracts, which have a stabilising effect on the intestinal environment and – unlike most herbal mixtures – can also be given long-term..
🇬🇧 We are an experienced team of therapists specializing in feed consultation and integrated therapies for horses. With extensive experience in treating metabolic issues, we focus on natural, species-appropriate feeding and proven naturopathic remedies to enhance your horse's health. Benefit from our expertise to ensure the well-being of your horse.
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