Horses are living longer lives these days, thanks to improvements in health care and nutrition. Due to these improvements in equine longevity, horses are much more likely to develop age-related diseases in their senior years. One of the most common diseases of older horses is equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID. PPID is a neurodegenerative disease that is similar to Parkinson’s disease in people. Once known as equine Cushing’s disease, this condition can cause dramatic changes in the affected horse’s performance, immune function and overall health. Left untreated, horses with PPID lose their muscle mass and ultimately develop a long, shaggy haircoat. On this show, Dr. Dianne McFarlane, an expert in senior horse health care as well as equine endocrinology, will discuss what causes PPID as well as how to recognize its signs, diagnostic tests used to confirm disease, available treatments and why a good relationship with your veterinarian is so important.

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