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Clinical signs
Horses suffering from Cushing’s disease (PPID) can show
a range of clinical signs, including:
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laminitis
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excessive sweating
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increased appetite
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increased drinking and urination
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lethargy/poor performance
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recurring infections (e.g. sinusitis)
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loss of muscle condition and/or a pot
bellied appearance.
They may also develop an abnormal hair coat, ranging
from mild changes in coat shedding right through to a full,
long, curly, overgrown coat (hirsutism). These changes
may take many years to develop.
Diagnosis
In some cases, vets may make a diagnosis of Cushing’s
disease (PPID) based simply on a clinical examination and
an appreciation of the medical history of the horse or pony.
In many cases, however, your vet will want to take one or
more blood samples from your horse to measure specific
hormone levels. The results of these tests can then be
compared to 'normal' ranges, to confirm the presence or
absence of disease.
The most commonly used diagnostic test is the resting
ACTH test - where a single blood sample is taken to
measure the level of the hormone ACTH which is
abnormally high in untreated PPID cases. Contact your
vet for further information.
12
...Best Friends
Although there is no 'cure' for PPID,
appropriate medical treatment and
good routine healthcare can help keep
horses with PPID healthy and fit.
Caring for a horse or pony
with
Cushing’s disease (PPID)
The first licensed medicine for the
treatment of clinical signs associated
with PPID in horses is now available
in the UK and Ireland. This medicine
(pergolide) acts directly on the
dopamine-producing neurons in the
hypothalamus, helping to normalise
hormone secretion from the pituitary
into the bloodstream. Treatment is
normally given once daily, and can
be given in feed or a treat, or,
alternatively, dissolved in a small
volume of water and administered
directly into the mouth.
It can take up to 12 weeks to see the
effect of the medication and follow-up
blood samples are advised to monitor
the response to treatment.
Treatment of
Cushing’s
disease (PPID)
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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)