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Talk About Cushing’s!

Author: Boehringer Ingelheim
Posted: Thursday 25th August, 2011. 18:19:49

Equine Cushing’s Disease, also known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), is the most common endocrine disorder in older horses and ponies¹. Some estimates suggest over 15% of horses and ponies over 15 years of age are affected².



Unfortunately, the initial stages of Cushing’s Disease are often difficult to detect, delaying the maximum benefit of early diagnosis and intervention. Blood testing is increasingly used to detect the disease and confirm diagnosis, however many horses with clinical signs, including recurrent laminitis, still go undiagnosed.

To highlight the condition and support its timely diagnosis, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, manufacturer of the equine pergolide Prascend®, has joined forces with the British Horse Society, Redwings Horse Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare to launch the ‘Talk About Cushing’s (TAC)’ campaign. The initiative, which will take place throughout September and October 2011, is aimed at raising awareness of Cushing’s Disease and its clinical signs, perhaps the most familiar of which is hirsutism (abnormal hair growth, or delayed shedding). Horse owners can download a £15 money-off voucher from www.talkaboutcushings.co.uk throughout the TAC initiative, which can be redeemed through their veterinary practice against blood test costs.

“More than 80% of horses suffering from laminitis may have an underlying endocrine disorder, such as Cushing’s Disease³,” comments Craig Beck, vet and equine sales and marketing manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. “The TAC campaign will raise awareness of Cushing’s Disease amongst both veterinary professionals and owners. It should make it easier for vets to go ahead with endocrine testing in horses and ponies with recurrent laminitis, diagnosing and treating earlier in the course of the disease.”

Lee Hackett, head of welfare at the BHS, adds: “Cushing’s Disease is relatively common in horses yet in our experience it frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. This is why we are fully behind the ‘Talk About Cushing’s’ campaign – anything that raises awareness and understanding of this disease has to be of benefit to equine welfare.”

Redwings' head of veterinary services Nicky Jarvis adds: "At Redwings we have many horses over the age of 15, all living very happy and healthy lives. ‘Old age' is not in itself a disease so when a geriatric horse loses condition or appears unwell there is always an underlying cause. If a horse continually succumbs to laminitis or loses weight, Cushing's Disease could be one explanation. However, with early diagnosis, good management and the correct treatment a horse with Cushing's can live comfortably for many years."

"Early diagnosis of Cushing’s Disease can be of great benefit, other conditions such as laminitis are often associated with it and it is important that clinical signs are recognised and treated appropriately. World Horse Welfare supports the ‘Talk About Cushing’s’ campaign as it will help people to recognise the signs and take the right action to prevent horses from suffering," concludes Tony Tyler, deputy chief executive, World Horse Welfare.

Backed by hard-hitting marketing activity, including an extensive advertising and PR campaign in equine consumer media, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has produced a marketing pack for veterinary practices to utilise in the run up and during TAC. This includes leaflets, invoice stickers, a veterinary practice toolkit featuring an owner evening presentation, editorial copy for newsletters and websites and images to support the campaign.

For further information on TAC or Prascend, the first licensed product for the treatment of Cushing’s Disease, please visit www.talkaboutcushings.co.uk, contact your Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or call 01344 746959.


References

1. Donaldson et al. “Evaluation of suspected pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses with laminitis”. JAVMA, Vol 224, No. 7, April 1, 2004
2. McGowan. “Diagnostic and Management Protocols for Equine Cushings Syndrome” In Practice, November/December 2003
3. McGowan. “Epidemiology and Clinical Perspectives of Endocrinopathic Laminitis”, BEVA Congress 2009

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