The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the multi-compound complex in Corticosal (R) in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as Equine Cushing Syndrome (ECS). For this purpose, a retrospective veterinary questionnaire analysis was conducted in Germany. A total of 177 horses from 94 veterinary practices and veterinary clinics were included in this study. All these horses were diagnosed with PPID based on the clinical signs and/or measurement of increased plasma ACTH levels. Due to the variety of clinical signs of PP1D only cardinal clinical signs of PPID were recorded in the questionnaire. These included hair coat abnormalities like hypertrichosis, increased fat deposits, signs of laminitis, a reduced general condition, hyperhidrosis, muscle wastage/muscle atrophy and polydipsia/polyuria. Furthermore, another inclusion criterion in the study was the administration of Corticosal (R) at the recommended dosage by the manufacturer's instructions. When considering all 177 horses in this study, the following incidences were found for the seven cardinal clinical signs of PPID: most common were hair coat abnormalities like hypertrichosis (81.9% of the horses) and a reduced general condition (51,4% of the horses). Additionally, muscle wastage/muscle atrophy was found with the incidence of 44.5%, while 35.0% of the horses had increased fat deposits. 43.5% of the horses showed hyperhidrosis and 35.6% of the horses had signs of laminitis. In comparison, the presence of polydipsia/polyuria (in 14.5% of all horses) was rare. After the administration of Corticosal (R) the horses showed a significant improvement for all these symptoms of PPID. Overall, these improvements were visible for 93.79% of all horses, which received Corticosal (R). Furthermore, these improvements already occurred after one month in 72.88% of the horses. For 75 animals, the plasma ACTH concentrations could be compared before and after treatment. Due to the application of Corticosal (R) the ACTH-concentrations (MW +/- SD: 149.73 pg/ml +/- 134.97 pg/ml) were reduced by 38.2% (MW SD: 92.54pg/ml +/- 155.46 pg/ml). Due to the high percentage of animals (46.3%, n=82) receiving both pergolide (as pergolide mesilate, Prascend (R)) and Corticosal (R), a subgroup analysis was performed subsequently. The animals of both subgroups (Corticosal (R) and Prascend (R) + Corticosar (R)) also showed improvements in clinical signs of PPID; in six out of seven cases these changes were also statistically significant. With regard to the ACTH concentrations, the animals of the Corticosal (R)-subgroup showed an overall decrease in ACTH by 33.78% after treatment, while the Prascencr (R)+Corticosar (R)-subgroup showed a significant reduction of the plasma ACTH-concentrations by 41.28%. In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed the findings of the previous studies regarding the effects of Corticosar (R) in horses with PPID. Furthermore, the actual results provide a strong evidence for the efficacy of Corticosal (R) on cardinal clinical signs of PPID. Thus, clinical nutrition like the multi-compound complex in Corticosar (R) can be a good choice for horses with PPID.
