My apologies for missing the last two weeks of Horse Fact Friday. I've just been so busy with my own sick horse that this hasn't been the priority. Since I do research for these blogs, they are a little more time consuming to write than ones where I just share my feelings, thoughts, and life.
But we are back this week, talking about a condition that affects a large number of horses as the graphic above shows. And that is PPID or as it's more commonly referenced Cushings.
What is PPID?
PPID stands are pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.
It is an endocrine disorder that affects 30% of horses, ponies, and donkeys over the age of 15. With PPID, there is an enlargement and benign tumors that appear in the pituitary gland. (The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" as it is responsible for producing and regulating many of the body's hormones.) Fortunately, the tumors usually do not spread and rarely become large enough to cause a neurological disease. However, they do cause the pituitary gland to produce and release hormones that create an abnormal metabolic state.
How can we tell if our horse has it?
Some clinical symptoms of this include delayed shedding of the coat, muscle wasting (especially along the toppling), weight loss, increased thirst and urination, excessive sweating or an abnormally dry coat, behavior changes, reproductive abnormalities, and frequent infections.
The only way to truly know is to have your veterinarian test for it. The test is called the ACTH. There is also an overnight dexamethasone suppression test, the thyrotropin releasing hormone stimulation test, as well as doing a CBC (complete blood count) in their overall geriatric evaluation. Testing for insulin dysregulation is also a course of diagnostics.
**reminder I am not a veterinarian, and none of this information is a replacement for veterinary care and diagnostics**
What can happen to my horse if they have this?
Along with the other clinical symptoms a horse can have dental disease, chronic sinus and skin infections, intestinal parasite, along with just a general ill thrift. There may also be co-existing disorders such as metabolic problems, colic, diarrhea, pneumonia, as well as developing insulin dysregulation which increases the risk of laminitis.
The body is unable to fight infections, viral or bacterial, as well leaving the horse vulnerable.
How do we treat it?
Symptomatically treatments can include clipping the coat, changing the diet, dental care, and regular wellness care.
There is also medication called peroglide mesylate. The name brand is commonly known as Prascend.
If you think your horse may have Cushing's please find a veterinarian in your area to start treatment.
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