Horse Cushing's Disease Management

PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, formerly Cushing's disease) is the most common endocrine disorder in older horses. With appropriate treatment, affected horses can maintain good quality of life for years.

Key Facts

PPID affects approximately 20-25% of horses over 15 years and up to 30% over 20 years
It results from dysfunction of the pituitary gland causing unregulated ACTH production and multiple systemic effects
Classic signs include hypertrichosis (long curly coat), delayed shedding, increased drinking and urination, muscle wasting, and laminitis
Diagnosis is confirmed by elevated resting ACTH or seasonal rise in autumn when ACTH naturally peaks
Pergolide (Prascend) is the licensed treatment, reducing ACTH levels and significantly improving clinical signs
Treatment significantly reduces laminitis risk - a major welfare benefit as laminitis causes severe chronic pain
Early diagnosis before severe laminitis develops dramatically improves long-term prognosis
Body condition scoring, lameness monitoring, and annual blood testing are essential for management monitoring

Welfare Considerations

PPID welfare management represents a genuine treatment success story - early diagnosis and pergolide therapy can restore quality of life to horses that were deteriorating significantly. The muscle wasting, chronic fatigue, and laminitis vulnerability of untreated PPID cause progressive welfare compromise that can be dramatically reversed with treatment. The most important welfare intervention is early diagnosis - before severe muscle loss or laminitis has occurred. Annual blood testing from age 15, or earlier in breeds like ponies that are prone to early onset, enables pre-clinical detection and treatment initiation that prevents the worst welfare outcomes. Owners who attribute PPID signs to 'normal ageing' delay treatment and allow preventable suffering.

What You Can Do

Screen horses annually for PPID from age 15 using ACTH blood testing - autumn is the optimal testing season
Recognise that a long curly coat or delayed shedding in an older horse warrants veterinary investigation
Begin pergolide treatment promptly on diagnosis - early treatment has better welfare outcomes
Monitor laminitis risk rigorously in PPID horses and implement strict dietary and grazing management
Maintain muscle mass through appropriate exercise and nutrition alongside pergolide therapy
Work with your vet on regular monitoring to adjust pergolide dosing as needed