Clinical signs and diagnosis of pituitary gland tumors in horses

Hirsutism was the most often observed symptom in horses with a pituitary gl and tumor and was present in all 13 examined horses. Other; symptoms were a trophy of muscles (n=10) hyperhidrosis (n=8), polyuria/polydipsia (n=5), bu lging or supraorbital fat (n=3), polyphagia (n=2), apathia (n=2) and seizur es (n=2). Laminitis was the most frequently observed concurrent disease (n= 8). Hyperglycaemia (mean, 9.9 +/- 3.71 mmol/l) in 13 horses and glucosuria (med ian, 55 [range, 55] mmol/l) in 7 horses were the:most important laboratory results. The dexamethasone; : suppression test was positive in all tested h orses : (n=9) 20 h after administration of dexamethasone The pituitary glan d tumor was visible in every:case :underwent computed tomography (n=7). From these results it can be concluded that a pituitary gland tumor can be suspected based on typical clinical signs. Hyperglycaemia:land glucosuria; support the preliminary diagnosis and a positive dexamethasone suppression test allows a final diagnosis.