The Equine Endocrinology Group (EEG) created a document titled Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). This document offers you information about what PPID is, clinical signs, testing information, and treatment/monitoring recommendations.
The Equine Endocrinology Group (EEG) is composed of experts in the field of equine endocrinology. They provide advice in the form of written guidelines to help veterinary practitioners diagnose and manage equine endocrine disorders. Guidelines are updated every two years and can be found on the EEG website.
You can read or download this document here.
This document was revised in October of 2023 by the PPID Working Group. This group includes:
- Kelsey Hart (Group Coordinator; University of Georgia)
- François-René Bertin (University of Queensland)
- Andy Durham (Liphook Equine Hospital)
- Nicholas Frank (Mississippi State University)
- Catherine McGowan (University of Liverpool)
- Hal Schott (Michigan State University)
- Allison Stewart (University of Queensland)
The following is the introduction from the PPID Working Group.
Introduction
“Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a slowly progressive age-related degenerative
disease of dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus. This results in hyperplasia and
adenoma formation of the pars intermedia of the pituitary gland, which then releases
increased amounts of ACTH and other related peptides (Figure 1).
“PPID prevalence increases with age, reaching 20% in equids 15 years of age and older and 30%
in equids over 30 years of age. Hypertrichosis, a long hair coat that fails to shed, is a classic
and very common clinical sign of PPID, but many other clinical signs are also described
(Figures 2 & 3, Table 1).
“Documentation of increased plasma ACTH concentrations at rest and/or after TRH stimulation
testing is currently the most practical diagnostic test for PPID. However, season and breed
impact ACTH concentrations, and there is some overlap in concentrations between healthy
and PPID populations. Consideration of the clinical context of the patient (including
signalment, severity of clinical signs, comorbidities, and intended purpose) and the season in
which testing is taking place is crucial for accurate interpretation of ACTH results to decide
whether to treat, monitor, or re-test (Figures 4 & 5, Table 2). PPID is often accompanied by
insulin dysregulation so assessing insulin dynamics in concert with PPID testing is
recommended (see the EEG Recommendations for Diagnosis and Management of Equine
Metabolic Syndrome).”
You can read or download this document here.
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Kimberly S. Brown is an award-winning writer and publisher. She is the Editorial Director for My Senior Horse. Brown spent 10 years at Equine Network, parent company of My Senior Horse. Prior to that she worked for three years in equine nutrition after she retired from nearly 30 years working at The Blood-Horse. Brown spent the last 15 years of her time at that organization creating and developing The Horse and TheHorse.com.View all posts