Clinical symptoms of PPID v signs of normal ageing - Dr Jo Ireland
Dr Jo Ireland demonstrates some of the symptoms of PPID and explains how to differentiate between normal ageing changes and changes that should make you suspicious of PPID. This video was shown in the October 2013 The Laminitis Revolution 2 webinar.
It's not uncommon for horses to have a deepening of the hollows above their eyes, more grey hairs around their head and some loss of muscle tone as they get older.
However, pronounced muscle loss along the neck, back and over the hind quarters is suggestive of PPID, as is the development of a pot belly.
The long curly hair coat that doesn't shed is a classic sign of PPID, but this is usually only seen in advanced cases. Warning signs for PPID include more subtle hair coat abnormalities, such as the summer coat being longer or thicker than normal, or long dull coarse hairs in the coat.
Patchy sweating can also suggest PPID, this may be due to an excessively long and thick coat, but can be seen in horses with PPID that have normal coats as well.
Horses with PPID may show signs of chronic laminitis, such as divergent hoof rings.
A common indication of PPID is accumulation of fat under the lower eyelid, giving a puffy appearance to the lower eyelid, and fat may also sometimes be seen in the hollows above the eyes.
Horses with PPID often show few symptoms in the early stages and symptoms vary between horses. If you are at all worried, talk to your vet.
For more information about the clinical signs of PPID, diagnosis and treatment, see Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction.
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