Equine Cushing's Disease - Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
April 2026
TLDR Equine Cushing's disease in horses causes hormonal imbalance, leading to symptoms like abnormal hair growth and requires lifelong treatment with pergolide.
Equine Cushing’s disease, or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), is an age-related endocrine disorder in horses caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain, leading to excessive ACTH release and high cortisol levels. This hormonal imbalance results in symptoms such as abnormal hair growth, increased drinking and urination, weight and muscle loss, and a higher risk of infections and laminitis. Diagnosis is primarily through blood tests like baseline ACTH levels, with ongoing monitoring necessary due to the imperfection of tests. Treatment requires lifelong daily administration of pergolide to increase dopamine levels and manage symptoms.
