NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN EQUINE CUSHINGS-DISEASE

Equine Gushing's Disease (ECD) is commonly encountered in older horses and ponies. The condition results from a pituitary gland adenoma whic h secretes abnormally high levels of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) as wel l as other hormones. Although ECD clinical signs are often typical, re aching a definitive diagnosis is frequently difficult. Currently, the most sensitive and specific tests for ECD diagnosis are overnight dexa methasone suppression test (ODST) and basal plasma ACTH concentration. The latter has the advantage of requiring only one blood sample and b eing a useful test for treatment monitoring. Medical therapy with cypr oheptadine or pergolide is fairly effective at controlling clinical ma nifestation of ECD including laminitis. A combination of careful healt h management, preventive medicine, and medical therapy of ECD can sign ificantly improve comfort and life expectancy of affected horses and p onies.