Diagnosing equine Cushing's disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID) in horses or ponies not showing the "full blown" disease is complicated and frustrating.

"To accurately diagnose PPID in the early stages of disease, monitor the progression of the condition, or response to treatment, we require accurate endocrine tests," said Jill Beech, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, from the Department of Clinical Studies at the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania.

"If we don't know what normal is, then we can't identify abnormal, and if we don't take into account seasonal variation when we are testing animals, we could make an incorrect diagnosis."

–Dr

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