PPID could be hiding in plain sight. 

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) can be as subtle as it is serious. But the equine endocrine disorder, previously known as equine Cushing’s disease, has both early and advanced clinical signs to look out for. With early diagnosis, horses can get the care they need to live healthier lives.

Learn The Clinical Signs

PPID is one of the most common equine endocrine disorders.

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a chronic, lifelong disorder that requires daily medical management and care.

Learn About PPID

1 in 3 horses that displayed clinical signs tests positive for PPID.1 

PPID in horses does not distinguish between breeds. Some cases may be more difficult to diagnose than others. However, when you’re armed with a horse’s history, a physical examination and blood test results, you can ID PPID.

Learn about Diagnosis

We are here to help you accurately and efficiently ID PPID.

The Boehringer Ingelheim IDPPID Testing Program gives you access to blood tests and information on the latest PPID diagnostic advances and management options. Learn more about the program — and the advantages to your practice. 

About the testing program

Together much more has been learned about PPID.

Thanks to veterinary and client participation, the collective knowledge of PPID has increased and is improving the ability to diagnose and manage the disease. To date, more than 32,000 horses have been tested through the IDPPID Testing Program from Boehringer Ingelheim in the U.S.
View the Clinical Research

Quality of life improves with thorough management and care.

A lifelong equine disease, PPID can’t be cured, but focused medical management and whole-horse care can control clinical signs.

About diagnosis & management

Diagnosing PPID in horses is much more than a blood test. It’s a process.

1. Building a Patient History

In conversations with horse owners and trainers, look for information related to clinical signs associated with PPID (for example, changes in attitude, lethargy and delayed shedding) and when they were observed.

2. Perform a Physical Exam

The goal of physical examinations is to identify and confirm the horse is displaying clinical signs consistent with PPID and determine whether they are early or advanced.

3. Laboratory Confirmation

If a horse has a medical history and clinical signs consistent with PPID, at a minimum ACTH, insulin and glucose should be evaluated.

Participate in our IDPPID Testing Program and epidemiological study
Your equine patients help the veterinary community build a greater understanding of PPID.

Your participation in the Boehringer Ingelheim IDPPID Testing Program has helped the veterinary community learn more about the disease, recognize its clinical signs and refine the process of diagnosing horses with PPID.
About testing program
IDPPID Testing Program Details
testing criteria
Have you seen a horse in your practice that may have clinical signs consistent with PPID?
Clinical Signs & Diagnosis Chart
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Before submitting a plasma sample, make sure your patient qualifies to be enrolled. In order to enroll a horse for testing, we request the following:
  • Only new cases suspected of PPID (not previously diagnosed)
  • Patient should exhibit one or more early or advanced clinical signs of PPID
  • Patients currently being administered medical therapy for PPID are excluded, except horses being administered compounded pergolide
Diagnosis & Management Enroll a Horse
Managing PPID
Managing PPID means managing the whole horse.

In the treatment of PPID, early intervention results in better outcomes. After detection of clinical signs and diagnosis of the disease, proper whole-horse management should include the following:

  • Proper diet
  • Routine foot/hoof care
  • Adequate exercise
  • Pharmaceutical management
  • Parasite control
  • Proper vaccination schedules
Diagnosis & Management Explore Treatment
Horse Owner's PPID Management Guide
Reference

1. BIAH Study Number 2019324. Epidemiological characteristics of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and/or equine metabolic syndrome at initial diagnosis (IDPPID). [data on file].