What are the side effects of Prascend in horses?

Treatment with PRASCEND has been observed to cause inappetence, with most cases being transient. Weight loss, lethargy and behavioral changes may be observed in some horses. If severe, a temporary reduction of dose may be necessary. PRASCEND has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant or lactating horses.

Can Prascend cause lameness?

Increased or decreased sweating may occur. Reproductive cycles may be abnormal or absent, potentially leading to infertility. A cause of lameness in both forelimb and hindlimb of athletic horses.

How quickly does Prascend work?

Clinical improvement is usually expected within 6-12 weeks of starting Prascend treatment, however the length of time between initiation of treatment to being able to see a response can vary from one horse or pony to another.

Does Prascend cause loss of appetite?

Treatment with PRASCEND may cause loss of appetite. Most cases are mild. If severe, a temporary dose reduction may be necessary. Weight loss, lack of energy, and behavioral changes also may be observed.

Does Prascend have to be given at the same time every day?

Does it matter what time of day I give Prascend/pergolide? A. No. There is currently no recommendation for giving Prascend/pergolide at any particular time of day - this was confirmed by Dr Marian Little in The Horse.com's Ask the Vet Live Managing Horses with PPID in February 2014 - see notes.

Prascend® (pergolide tablets) Testimonial: Spirit’s Surprising Diagnosis.

Does Prascend stop laminitis?

Several studies report improvement in the clinical signs of laminitis during treatment with pergolide. However, such improvements cannot be attributed to pergolide rather than other interventions such as farriery, rest or analgesia.

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.

How long can horses be on Prascend?

24-month stability at labeled storage conditions which allows for consistent, reliable dosing. PRASCEND is for use in horses only.

How do you feed Prascend?

What is the difference between Prascend and pergolide?

Pergolide is available for veterinary use. Under the trade name Prascend, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim, it is commonly used for the treatment of pituitary hyperplasia at the pars intermedia or Equine Cushing's Syndrome (ECS) in horses.

What should I feed my senior horse with Cushings?

Increased energy requirements can be met by feeding alfalfa (lucerne) hay or chaff, super-fibers such as beet pulp and soy hulls, or a low- to moderate-NSC feed. Feeds that are higher in fat (greater than 6%) are preferred as they are less reliant on carbohydrates for energy.

Does Prascend cause diarrhea?

Treatment with Prascend may cause loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and other behavioral changes. The use of Prascend in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses has not been evaluated.

What happens if Cushing's is left untreated 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 hay should you feed a horse with Cushings?

Alfalfa averages 10-15% NSC, and oat hay is very high, averaging 22%. Alfalfa can be a good option for a horse with Cushings if they are a hard time holding their weight because it is more calorie-dense than grass hay.

How much Prascend should I give my horse?

PRASCEND is contraindicated in horses with hypersensitivity to pergolide mesylate or other ergot derivatives. Preserved and protected in foil blister packs, the single-scored tablets make it simple to adjust dosage. Administer orally at a starting dose of 2 mcg/kg once daily.

What is a normal ACTH level in horses?

Samples taken during this time period may have up to 3 times reference levels of ACTH in normal horses." Their normal cut-off is 35 pg/ml (outside of the seasonal rise), therefore up to 3 times this might mean an ACTH of up to 105 pg/ml might be considered negative for PPID between August and October.

Do all Cushings horses get laminitis?

Equine Cushing's cases always develop laminitis if they live long enough. They may become immunosuppressed and subject to a variety of parasitic or infectious agents such as helminthiasis or pneumonia.

Are horses with Cushings in pain?

Do horses with Cushing's suffer? As long as horses with Cushing's disease are treated and monitored closely for any signs of pain (due to laminitis) or other abnormal characteristics of decreased quality of life, they are not thought to be suffering.

How long can horses live with Cushing's disease?

Well-managed horses should live about five to seven years or more past diagnosis. In severely affected horses, however, laminitis and recurrent infections are time-consuming and expensive to manage and can shorten the horse's anticipated life expectancy dramatically.

Does Cushing's shorten a horse's life?

Cushing's disease is not a death sentence. Despite the fact that there is no cure, there are several management practices that can keep an affected horse in use and in good health for many years following diagnosis.

Can pergolide cause colic?

Pergolide may also cause stomach and intestinal upset and may cause symptoms of colic in your horse.

Does Cushings cause diarrhea in horses?

Many horses with Cushing's disease have abnormal metabolic functions, electrolyte balance, glucose, and fat metabolism, which can lead to greater problems like colic, diarrhea, and pneumonia.

Can Cushings horses have grass?

Pasture grasses can have a high NSC content, especially during the spring and fall seasons, and the risk of colic and laminitis is greater when horses are on pasture. Since laminitis and founder are more common in horses with Cushing's disease, pasture grazing should be severely limited or totally avoided.

Can you reverse Cushings in horses?

Although Cushing's can't be cured, administration of this medication can help control symptoms, and possibly slow the progression of the disease. If your horse is showing a lot of clinical signs of Cushing's disease, your vet may even recommend initiating treatment before the ACTH or LDD tests come back positive.

How does a horse get Cushings?

Causes. The underlying cause of PPID is loss of inhibition of the pars intermedia region of the pituitary gland. As a result, the gland becomes enlarged and there is a marked increase in the production of certain hormones.