Fecal strongyle egg counts in horses with suspected pre-clinical pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction before and after treatment with pergolide

Vet J. 2018 May:235:60-62. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.03.007. Epub 2018 Mar 23.

Abstract

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) has been associated with diminished immune response in aged horses. This prospective study hypothesised that this may result in increased strongyle egg shedding in affected animals and that horses treated with pergolide would have reduced fecal egg counts (eggs per gram, EPG) compared to placebo-treated animals. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations and EPG were tested in 48 horses. There were no significant differences in baseline EPG between horses with pre-clinical PPID and healthy controls. There was no significant difference in EPG between horses with PPID after treatment with pergolide and placebo-treated animals. Using EPG as a marker of immune function, these results did not support a proposed decrease in immune function in horses with pre-clinical PPID.

Keywords: Equine; Geriatric; PPID; Parasites; Placebo.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Animals
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / immunology*
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Parasite Egg Count*
  • Pergolide / adverse effects
  • Pergolide / therapeutic use*
  • Pituitary Diseases / drug therapy
  • Pituitary Diseases / immunology
  • Pituitary Diseases / veterinary*
  • Pituitary Gland, Intermediate*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Strongyle Infections, Equine / complications
  • Strongyloidea*

Substances

  • Pergolide
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone