New Cushing’s Treatment for Horses

Prascend® (pergolide) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of Cushing’s disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID) in horses. The medication, which is available in tablets, will not cure the disease but will help to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications such as laminitis and recurring infections.

Cushing’s disease is marked by heavy hair growth that doesn’t shed, sweating, increased thirst and urination, muscle wasting, lethargy, and weight loss. Not every affected horse shows every sign. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in counteracting the effects of this malady.

Pergolide has been the drug of choice for Cushing’s treatment, but there have been problems with availability since this human medication was pulled from the market in 2007. Some pergolide preparations made by compounding pharmacies had problems with stability.

A study designed to shed light on the global incidence of Cushing’s syndrome is being conducted by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan. Equine practitioners are asked to complete a short survey indicating the number of Cushing’s horses they care for and the most common treatments they use.