Can Prascend be given every other day?

Giving 0.5 mg every other day - the datasheet states that Prascend should be given once daily. As the average half life of pergolide has been found to be around 6 hours in horses (Abra Wright Pharmacokinetics of pergolide in normal mares, MSc thesis 2009), extending the time between doses seems counter-intuitive.

Can you take a horse off Prascend?

Currently the USEF rule states that horses must be pulled off of Prascend 24 hours prior to competition. This does not benefit the horse as he or she can experience increased ACTH levels and thus increased levels of the body's own steroid production during that time.

What are the problems with Prascend?

When should I give my horse Prascend?

Your horse will have been prescribed Prascend® if your veterinary surgeon has diagnosed Equine Cushing's disease (also known as PPID, or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction).

What is the half life of Prascend?

The mean half life (T1/2) was 5.86±3.42 hours; the mean apparent oral clearance (CL/F) was 1204 mL/kg/hr; and the mean apparent volume of distribution (V/F) was 3082±1354 mL/kg.

How Prascend Works

What is the best feed for a pony with Cushings?

A horse that has been diagnosed with Cushing's disease will require a specialised diet. As with any horse, the main proportion of their diet should be made up of forage. NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) intake should be reduced, and feeds containing wholegrain cereals and molasses should be removed from the diet.

What are the side effects of Prascend in horses?

Side effects

Prascend® is well tolerated in horses. Potential adverse reactions in horses include inappetence, transient anorexia and lethargy, mild central nervous system signs (e.g. mild depression, mild ataxia and mild hyperexcitability), diarrhoea and colic. These signs are usually mild and transient in nature.

Can you treat Cushings in horses naturally?

Good hoof-care combined with nutritional management and the application of other modalities, including acupuncture and Chinese and Western herbs, can complete the healing process. The successful treatment of equine Cushing's syndrome is one of the best examples of treating a disease using the holistic approach.

Which hay is best for a horse with Cushings?

Grass hay is the ideal forage for a Cushing's horse, since it is low in soluble carbohydrates and sugars.

What is the best way to administer Prascend?

The product should be administered orally, once daily. To facilitate administration, the required daily dose should be placed in a small amount of water and/or mixed with molasses or other sweetener and agitated until dissolved. In this case, the dissolved tablets should be administered with a syringe.

What is life expectancy with Cushings?

Cushing's disease is fatal without treatment; the median survival if uncontrolled is about 4.5 years, Melmed said. “This truly is a metabolic, malignant disorder,” Melmed said. “The life expectancy today in patients who are not controlled is apparently no different from 1930.”

What triggers Cushings in horses?

Although the cause of the condition is not completely understood, it is thought that as part of the ageing process some horses develop enlargement of part of the pituitary gland (the pars intermedia), which produces excessive hormones that are important in controlling various body functions.

What happens if you don't treat Cushings in horses?

If a horse has untreated Cushing's Disease, it is more likely to develop laminitis and the laminitis will be more difficult to control. If an equine has any of the clinical signs suggestive of Cushing's, a blood sample can be taken to check ACTH levels in the blood.

What supplements should I give my horse with Cushing's disease?

They also need a balance of quality vitamins and minerals to support their bodily functions. So, offering a PPID horse 24/7 access to a salt mineral block containing selenium, magnesium and chromium can help manage the symptoms of Cushing's disease, along with feeding a vitamin supplement high in vitamins E and C.

Can a horse recover from Cushings?

A horse cannot recover from Cushing's disease, but it can be managed and a horse can live a quality life with effective treatment.

Can horses with Cushings have hay?

Since a Cushing horse is predisposed to laminitis it is very important to limit his NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) to 10-20% of his total diet. Hay and other fibrous feedstuffs should make up the majority of the horse's diet.

What not to feed a horse with Cushing's?

Feeding Horses with Cushing's Disease

These horses are often insulin resistant and have high blood sugar levels so non-structured carbohydrates (NSC) need to be avoided. Feeds low in soluble carbohydrates (sugar and starch or NSC) are recommended.

Can horses with Cushings have carrots?

Because insulin and blood sugar absorption may not be functioning properly in Cushing's horses, dietary management is a must. Horses with PPID are not to be fed high sugar or high starch foods such as traditional grains, treats - like apples and carrots, or pasture grass.

Should you blanket a Cushings horse?

Since Cushing's disease makes it hard for your horse to stay cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather, blanket him in the winter as necessary, and body-clip him in the summer if necessary. Be sure he has shade, shelter, and access to fresh water.

What is the herbal remedy for Cushings in horses?

A US trial to test the effectiveness of natural remedies in helping equines with Cushing's disease has discovered that the chasteberry plant (vitex agnus castus) could be effective in treating many cases.

What herbs help Cushing's syndrome in horses?

Milk thistle, vitex agnus castus, bilberry, fenugreek, and many others have properties that support and correct the hormonal system. 2. Homeopathy is important to the success of treatment in many cases.

What is the difference between Prascend and pergolide?

What is the difference between pergolide and Prascend? A. Pergolide is the name of the drug, i.e. the active ingredient (pergolide mesylate). Prascend is the only form of pergolide that is currently licensed for use in horses.

How do I fatten up my Cushing's horse?

Feeds that are higher in fat (greater than 6%) are preferred as they are less reliant on carbohydrates for energy. Extra fat can be added by top-dressing feed with 0.5 to 1 cup (125 to 250 ml) of vegetable oil twice daily. An alternative is to give about twice that amount of stabilized rice bran each day.

What is the best grain for a senior horse with Cushing's?

Triple Crown Senior (http://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/feeds/senior-horse-feed- formula-seniorhorsefeed) is a beet pulp-based, textured feed recommended for Cushing's horses that have a hard time maintaining weight and need a little extra fat, without the extra carbohydrates.