[Nutrition of horses with equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (“Cushing’s syndrome”) treated with pergolid – A field study].
Abstract: The nutritional status of 36 patients with equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) under pergolide treatment was investigated. Methods: The body condi tion score (BCS) and feeding were determined at the beginning of the study and after 60 and 120 days. Sampled blood for control of pergolid therapy were used for insulin and glucose measurement. A standardized questionnaire regarding the symptoms of the disease, including hypertrichosis and weight change, was completed by the owners. Results: The mean BCS (scale of 1 = cachexia to 9 = grossly obese) was 3.1 ± 0.8 (large horses 2.7 ± 0.8, ponies 3.5 ± 0.8). The mean energy requirement of the large horses was estimated to be 74 ± 10 MJ of metabolizable energy, but the intake amounted only to 65 ± 15 MJ. There was a significant correlation between the BCS and the estimated energy intake in percent of requirements in the large horses. The energy requirements of the ponies were generally met. The patients were fed a mean of 2.0 ± 0.7 meals of roughage per day (total roughage intake per day 0.2-2.1 kg/100 kg body weight) and a maximum of one meal of concentrates. Sixteen ponies and one large horse did not receive any concentrates, whereas five ponies and 14 horses were fed concentrates (mean amount for ponies 0.15 kg and for large horses 0.8 kg). The requirements for zinc, copper, selenium and vitamins A and E were not met in the majority of patients. Blood glucose levels were within the reference range in all samples, but insulin levels were elevated in seven animals at least at one sampling point. The serious underweight of some of the patients was not recognized as a problem by some of the owners. Unassigned: Owners of PPID patients need more guidance on body condition scoring, amount of feed, number of meals, and logistics of feeding to avoid malnutrition of their animals.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Publication Date: 2018-08-24 PubMed ID: 30142655DOI: 10.15653/tpg-170574Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the nutritional status of horses dealing with equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), or ‘Cushing’s syndrome,’ under pergolide treatment. The study found that many horses did not meet their nutritional requirements, with underweight horses being a particular concern.
Study Design and Methodology
- The study observed 36 equine patients undergoing pergolide treatment for their pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).
- Measurements for the body condition score (BCS) and feeding were taken at the beginning and after 60 and 120 days into the study.
- Simultaneously, the effects of pergolide therapy were monitored using blood samples for insulin and glucose measurement.
- A questionnaire about the disease symptoms, like excessive hair growth and weight changes, was filled out by the horse owners.
Results of the Study
- The average body condition score (BCS) was low (3.1 on a scale of 1 to 9) indicating that many horses were underweight.
- The larger horses were found to have an energy intake lower than their estimated requirements.
- A significant correlation was found between the BCS of the large horses and their estimated energy intake in percent.
- The study found that most of the ponies met their energy requirements and were better fed compared to the larger horses.
- The study also showed that the majority of patients did not meet their required intake of zinc, copper, selenium, and vitamins A and E.
- All horses had blood glucose levels within the normal range, but seven animals had elevated insulin levels at least once during the study.
- It was noted that some horse owners did not recognize the serious underweight condition of their horses as a potential problem.
Implications of the Study
- The study suggests that those caring for horses suffering from PPID need to be better educated on the specific nutritional needs and body condition scoring of their animals.
- Owners need guidance on the number of meals and the quantity and type of feed necessary to prevent malnutrition in horses.
- The under-recognition of serious underweight in horses indicates a need for improved education and awareness around equine health and nutrition.
Cite This Article
APA
Kienzle E, Bockhorni T.
(2018).
[Nutrition of horses with equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (“Cushing’s syndrome”) treated with pergolid – A field study].
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere, 46(4), 249-256.
https://doi.org/10.15653/tpg-170574 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Cushing Syndrome / drug therapy
- Cushing Syndrome / physiopathology
- Cushing Syndrome / veterinary
- Energy Intake
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Nutrition Assessment
- Pergolide / therapeutic use
Conflict of Interest Statement
Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- van Bömmel-Wegmann S, Gehlen H, Barton AK, Büttner K, Zentek J, Paßlack N. Zinc Status of Horses and Ponies: Relevance of Health, Horse Type, Sex, Age, and Test Material. Vet Sci 2023 Apr 16;10(4).
- Kellon EM, Gustafson KM. Hypertriglyceridemia in equines with refractory hyperinsulinemia treated with SGLT2 inhibitors. Open Vet J 2023 Mar;13(3):365-375.
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