Equine Cushing’s Disease is properly known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). It tends to affect older horses aged 15 and over. The early stages of Cushing’s disease / PPID can be difficult to recognise. This blog outlines some common Cushing’s symptoms in horses.
PPID, as Cushing’s is properly known, stands for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. It affects the ability of the pituitary gland to regulate hormones. This leads to the overproduction of normal hormones, which in turn affects a range of functions.
The symptoms of PPID vary. PPID affects different horses in different ways. For example, both weight loss and weight gain can be symptoms of PPID.
One symptom of PPID is a long, thick, wavy coat. PPID can prevent the horse from shedding its coat properly, and this results in the characteristic woolly appearance of some horses with the condition. It is worth noting that not all horses with PPID will exhibit a long coat all over; some will only have longer hair on their legs, belly, or neck.
A thick coat can be uncomfortable for the horse, particularly during the warmer months, as it traps the heat. It can also make it more difficult to manage the horse’s weight as it doesn’t use as much energy keeping warm. In these cases, the horse may need to be clipped during the summer to keep it comfortable and prevent overheating. In the winter, clipping can be used to help the horse lose weight if this is an issue.
Loss of condition and weight gain are also symptoms of PPID. Horses with PPID often lose condition on their top line, whilst gaining a “pot-bellied” appearance. Fatty deposits in unusual areas, such as above the eye sockets, may indicate PPID. It is important to manage your horse’s weight carefully, as an over- or underweight horse is more susceptible to further complications.
PPID can cause lethargy as the overproduction of some hormones can make the horse drowsy. Poor performance may be a result of the lethargy, but it could also be down to discomfort resulting from other PPID related symptoms.
PPID can make horses and ponies more susceptible to infections due to the impact on the immune system. Control of infectious diseases and parasites should be part of your horse’s usual management routine, in the form of vaccination, faecal worm egg counts and biosecurity measures.
PPID can make horses and ponies more susceptible to laminitis, especially if they also have equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Laminitis is probably the most debilitating symptom of PPID and extra care should be taken to minimise the risk of its occurrence.
Whilst there is no cure for PPID, early diagnosis is key to management and maintaining a good quality of life. Your vet may run hormone tests in conjunction with assessing the clinical signs and history of the horse to reach a diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of PPID has been made, medication, dietary changes and good general management can all help to minimise the symptoms of PPID.
We are an independent equine vet practice based in Ratley, Oxfordshire. Our experienced equine vets can advise clients on a wide range of issues, including diagnosis and management of PPID. Register your horse with us today.
