Diagnóstico de disfunção da pars intermedia da pituitária em equino: Relato de caso
Authors: Leal Luzia Leon Coelho, Souto Maior Kennya Mansiero Sanson Couto, Bueno Flávia Umpierre, Beck Carlos Afonso de Castro
Journal: Pubvet
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction in an Equine Case Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), commonly referred to as equine Cushing's disease, represents the most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting older horses, yet diagnosis can be complicated by variable clinical presentations. A 24-year-old Creole mare presented with hirsutism as the sole observable clinical sign, illustrating how the disease may manifest atypically and risk being overlooked when additional classical signs are absent. The diagnosis was confirmed using the dexamethasone suppression test, one of two primary diagnostic approaches alongside baseline ACTH concentration measurement, both of which remain the gold standard in equine practice. This case is particularly instructive for equine professionals because it demonstrates that PPID should remain on the differential diagnosis list even when clinical signs appear limited to coat abnormalities; relying on hirsutism alone without laboratory confirmation could delay or miss diagnosis entirely. The findings underscore the importance of pursuing definitive testing in geriatric horses showing even subtle signs consistent with PPID, enabling timely intervention and management to improve quality of life and prevent secondary complications.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Don't dismiss hirsutism as the only sign — it can indicate PPID; use dexamethasone suppression testing to confirm diagnosis in aged horses showing coat changes
- •PPID can present atypically with minimal clinical signs; maintain high suspicion in geriatric horses even when signs are subtle
- •Diagnostic testing (dexamethasone suppression test) is reliable and should be performed when PPID is suspected, regardless of how many clinical signs are present
Key Findings
- •PPID was successfully diagnosed in a 24-year-old Creole mare using the dexamethasone suppression test
- •Hirsutism was the sole clinical sign presented in this case of PPID
- •Dexamethasone suppression test proved effective for confirming PPID diagnosis even with minimal clinical manifestations