Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction And Prascend® Treatment On Endocrine And Immune Function In Senior Horses, Ashton B. Miller

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is one of the most common endocrine diseases affecting senior horses. PPID causes abnormally high concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the plasma and a very distinct, long, shaggy haircoat (hypertrichosis). At present, the recommended treatment for PPID is daily oral administration of pergolide mesylate. Due to the increased ACTH levels associated with PPID, it is commonly thought that these horses are immunosuppressed and at increased risk of opportunistic infections, although current research in this area is sparse. Additionally, it is not well-understood how treatment with Prascend^® (pergolide tablets) affects endocrine measures other than …