Species
woman riding horse
woman riding horse

Endocrine Health

Make the Most of Every Day

Changes in a horse’s hormone-producing endocrine system can trigger significant hormone imbalances and clinical dysfunction, often leading to pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), insulin dysregulation and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

horse in a field

What Is PPID?

PPID – previously referred to as equine Cushing's disease – is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in horses. In horses with PPID, the pituitary gland can’t keep bodily functions in a healthy working state, resulting in a variety of clinical signs. PPID is also associated with several serious conditions including laminitis, secondary infections and insulin dysregulation.

What Is PPID?

PPID – previously referred to as equine Cushing's disease – is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in horses. In horses with PPID, the pituitary gland can’t keep bodily functions in a healthy working state, resulting in a variety of clinical signs. PPID is also associated with several serious conditions including laminitis, secondary infections and insulin dysregulation.

horse in a field

Identify the Clinical Signs of PPID

close up of horse's coat

PPID can affect any horse, and the signs can sometimes be hard to spot, so knowing what to look for is vital.

 

Early clinical signs:

  • Change in attitude/lethargy
  • Decreased performance
  • Delayed hair coat shedding
  • Loss of topline muscle
  • Abnormal sweating (increased or decreased)
  • Infertility
  • Desmitis/Tendonitis
  • Regional adiposity

 

Advanced clinical signs:

  • Increased water consumption/Increased urination
  • Recurrent infections
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Loss of seasonal hair coat shedding
  • Generalized muscle atrophy
  • Rounded abdomen
  • Dry eye/Recurrent corneal ulcers
  • Increased mammary gland secretions
  • Tendon and suspensory ligament laxity
  • Laminitis/Recurrent sole abcesses
A female vet checking horse for PPID.

Test to Confirm PPID

  • Review the horse’s medical history
  • Conduct a physical examination
  • Take plasma samples for testing*

 

*For detailed information on our testing program, diagnosis and more, visit IDPPID.com

Test to Confirm PPID

  • Review the horse’s medical history
  • Conduct a physical examination
  • Take plasma samples for testing*

 

*For detailed information on our testing program, diagnosis and more, visit IDPPID.com

A female vet checking horse for PPID.

360° PPID Management

While there’s no cure for PPID, most of the problems associated with the clinical signs can be managed with a 360° approach:

 

  • Pharmaceutical treatment
  • Proper vaccination
  • Regular deworming
  • Proper diet, utilizing forage and feed analysis
  • Adequate exercise
  • Regular care, from hoof to teeth
  • Body clipping, if necessary

 

By using Prascend® (pergolide tablets) as part of your PPID management protocol, you can help restore the quality of life for the horses you’re treating, so they can get back to feeling themselves.

 

PRASCEND treatment may cause loss of appetite. Most cases are mild. Adverse reactions may occur if animals other than horses ingest PRASCEND tablets.

Managing PPID detailer

Educate Your Clients

Download our PPID management brochure to educate your clients about the 360° management approach for PPID. Physical copies are available upon request from your Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Manager.

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

Educate Your Clients

Download our PPID management brochure to educate your clients about the 360° management approach for PPID. Physical copies are available upon request from your Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Manager.

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE
Managing PPID detailer

Products

prascend product shot

Everyday Treatment. Because Every Day Counts.

The most-proven treatment to control the clinical signs associated with PPID in horses.1

SEE PRODUCT DETAILS

Everyday Treatment. Because Every Day Counts.

The most-proven treatment to control the clinical signs associated with PPID in horses.1

SEE PRODUCT DETAILS
prascend product shot

PRASCEND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Treatment with PRASCEND may cause loss of appetite. Most cases are mild. If severe, a temporary dose reduction may be necessary. PRASCEND tablets should not be crushed due to the potential for increased human exposure, and care should be taken to minimize exposure when splitting tablets. Keep PRASCEND in a secure location, out of reach of dogs, cats and other animals, to prevent accidental ingestion or overdose. Not for human use. Do not ingest. Refer to the product package insert for complete product information.

1 PRASCEND [Freedom of Information Summary]. St. Joseph, MO: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.; 2011.

 

PRASCEND® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license. ©2024 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All Rights Reserved. US-EQU-0126-2021-V2