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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Rec / Pergolide dosing compliance and factors affecting the labora...
The Veterinary record2021; 189(1); e142; doi: 10.1002/vetr.142

Pergolide dosing compliance and factors affecting the laboratory control of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Abstract: Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is treated with daily pergolide therapy. Owner compliance and its effect on PPID control have not been previously investigated. Clinical records were searched to identify the sample of animals with PPID treated with pergolide from 2016 to 2019. The signalment was noted and the dose of pergolide received calculated. Animals were classified as compliant (receiving ≥90% of the veterinarian recommended dose of pergolide) or non-compliant, and as controlled (follow-up basal adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations within the reference range) or not. In total, 110 animals were included. The majority (85%) were ≥16 years (mean ± SD 19.8 ± 4.4 years); the most common breeds were Cob (18%), Thoroughbred (16%) and Welsh (15%); 37% were female and 63% male. Overall, 48% were compliant and 52% non-compliant. There was no significant effect of compliance on laboratory control. Of those that were compliant, 74% were controlled, while 67% of non-compliant animals were controlled. Univariable analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.001) effect of age and breed on compliance and control, and of sex on control. On multivariable analysis, only age (compliance) and breed (compliance and control) were retained in the final model. Only half of animals received the recommended pergolide dose; however, this did not affect laboratory control of PPID.
© 2021 The Authors. Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-23 PubMed ID: 33759215DOI: 10.1002/vetr.142Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research is about the impact of horse owners’ adherence to pergolide dosing recommendations for treating equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and how this affects the disease’s laboratory control. It also analyzed the impact of factors such as age, breed, and sex on compliance and disease control.

Objective

  • This study aimed to examine the compliance of horse owners in administering pergolide, a medication used to treat equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses, and to identify the impact of this compliance on controlling the disease as determined by laboratory tests. The research also sought to explore the influence of different factors, such as breed, age, and sex, on both compliance and disease control.

Methods

  • The researchers scrutinized clinical records from 2016 to 2019 to find cases of PPID in horses treated with pergolide. Information about these horses, including their breed, sex, and age, was noted.
  • The dosage of pergolide each horse received was calculated. Horses were then classified into two groups: those receiving at least 90% of the veterinarian recommended dose of pergolide (compliant) and those receiving less (non-compliant).
  • Horses were also classified based on whether they had achieved control of PPID (if their follow-up adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations fell within the reference range) or not.

Results

  • 110 horses were included in the study. The majority (85%) were 16 years or older. The most common breeds were Cob (18%), Thoroughbred (16%), and Welsh (15%).
  • Approximately 48% of the horse owners were compliant with the recommended dosing of pergolide while 52% were not.
  • There was no significant impact of compliance on the laboratory control of PPID. Among the compliant group, 74% of horses achieved control of PPID, while 67% of the non -compliant group managed to control the disease.
  • Univariate analysis indicated a significant impact of the horse’s age and breed on both drug compliance and disease control and the horse’s sex on disease control.
  • When adjusted for various factors in a multivariable analysis, only age and breed remained as significant in affecting both compliance and control.

Conclusion

  • Although only half of horse owners comply with the recommended dosing for pergolide, this does not seem to affect the laboratory control of PPID. The effectivenes of dosage compliance did not significantly affect PPID control, as determined by laboratory tests. Breed and age significantly influenced both compliance and control of the disease, while the horse’s sex only significantly affected control.

Cite This Article

APA
Hague N, Durham AE, Menzies-Gow NJ. (2021). Pergolide dosing compliance and factors affecting the laboratory control of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Vet Rec, 189(1), e142. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.142

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 189
Issue: 1
Pages: e142

Researcher Affiliations

Hague, Natalie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, UK.
Durham, Andrew E
  • Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, Hampshire, UK.
Menzies-Gow, Nicola J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Laboratories
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence / statistics & numerical data
  • Pergolide / administration & dosage
  • Pituitary Diseases / drug therapy
  • Pituitary Diseases / veterinary
  • Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Parmantier S, Kyriazopoulou P, McClendon M, Adams A, Murphy BA. Influence of Extended Photoperiod Using Blue Light Masks on Hypertrichosis, Coat Condition and General Health Parameters in Horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 5;15(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15192905pubmed: 41096500google scholar: lookup
  2. Schott HC 2nd, Strachota JR, Marteniuk JV, Refsal KR. Long-Term Response of Equids With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction to Treatment With Pergolide. J Vet Intern Med 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70109.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.70109pubmed: 40317948google scholar: lookup
  3. Bouquet A, Nicol C, Knowles EJ, Schofield I, Menzies-Gow NJ. Development of a health-related quality-of-life assessment tool for equines with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):190-202.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14513pubmed: 40314080google scholar: lookup
  4. Sundra T, Kelty E, Rossi G, Rendle D. Retrospective assessment of the use of extended-release cabergoline in the management of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1332337.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1332337pubmed: 38511195google scholar: lookup
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