AVA Conference Brisbane 2018

The importance of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID or Equine Cushing’s disease) has become better understood in the last decade following some excellent pathophysiological research from the USA and Australian epidemiological research highlighting just how prevalent this disease is. The same group highlighted the disparity between owner recognition of the subtle signs of the condition and the actual prevalence found on blood tests. Although there have been many tests used to diagnose PPID in the past, testing practices are becoming more standardised with a better understanding of which test to use and when. The aims of this presentation are to: 1: Recap the pathophysiology of PPID and evidence for it being a neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging in horses. 2: Discuss the epidemiology of PPID including its prevalence, risk factors, associated clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities, particularly laminitis and insulin dysregulation. Also early and more subtle clinical signs that owners may confuse with signs of old age. 3: Review current best practice in diagnosis of PPID including basal and dynamic tests, ways to improve early detection of PPID and the effect of season and making season work for you.