Veterinary 2025 Guide: Prascend® (Pergolide) for Equine Cushing’s Disease 🐎🩺

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. This 2025 guide details Prascend® (pergolide), the only FDA‑approved treatment for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID, aka equine Cushing’s disease). We’ll explore how it works, dosing strategies including titration, side effects, contraindications, monitoring protocols, and even precautions for accidental ingestion in other pets—plus owner support with Ask A Vet 😊.

🔍 1. What Is Prascend®?

Prascend® contains pergolide mesylate, a dopamine agonist that helps reduce overproduction of pituitary hormones in PPID by stimulating dopamine receptors in the pituitary gland :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🎯 2. Indications & Off-Label Notes

• Horses: FDA-approved for managing clinical signs of PPID, such as delayed shedding, abnormal fat, lethargy, and laminitis :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Accidental ingestion in dogs/cats: Not indicated for small animals—exposure can cause GI upset, hypotension, seizures, and collapse :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

💊 3. Dosing & Administration

• Horses: Start at 2 μg/kg orally once daily; titrate up to a max of 4 μg/kg based on clinical response :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Tablets are scored—split at half‑tablet increments. Do **not** crush tablets to avoid human exposure :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• If a dose is missed, administer when remembered unless close to next dose—do not double‐up.

⚠️ 4. Side Effects & Precautions

• Decreased appetite is the most common side effect (≈ 33%) and may require dose adjustment :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Other signs: lethargy, diarrhea, colic, weight loss, laminitis, lameness, skin changes, abnormal behavior, ataxia :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Eye irritation, headaches possible during tablet splitting—wear gloves and avoid crushing :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Use caution in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses—safety not evaluated and may impact reproductive hormones :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

💉 5. Accidental Exposure: Dogs & Cats

• Pergolide ingestion in dogs/cats may cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, hypotension, dilated pupils, ataxia, seizures, collapse :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Toxic effects seen in dogs at ~100 μg/kg, while accidental small doses (e.g., 1 mg) generally cause mild transient GI signs :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Veterinary support: “activated charcoal, IV fluids, antiemetics, BP monitoring” as needed :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

📋 6. Monitoring & Follow‑Up

• Assess clinical signs (weight, shedding, laminitis) within 30 days; improvement often continues through 6 months :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Recheck every 6–12 months, adjusting dose to effect and minimizing adverse signs :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Monitor dental/hoof status, weight, behavior—and appetite especially after dosing adjustments.

🚫 7. Storage & Handling

• Store at or below 25 °C (77 °F), in a secure location away from other pets and humans :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Prevent accidental ingestion by dogs/cats—Prascend is toxic to them :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Never crush tablets; splitting requires gloves to minimize exposure :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

📝 8. Client Education & Home Care

• Explain FDA-approved use in horses and off-label risks in dogs/cats.
• Demonstrate safe tablet splitting, dosing timing, and storage.
• Show signs to monitor: appetite, weight, hoof health, GI and neurologic signs.
• Provide guidelines for accidental ingestion by other pets—prescribe charcoal and prompt vet evaluation.
• Recommend Ask A Vet app for dosing reminders, symptom tracking (e.g., appetite/log), and instant communication 😊.

📌 9. 2025 Vet Takeaways

• Prascend® (pergolide) is the gold standard for managing equine PPID at 2–4 μg/kg daily.
• Monitor for appetite loss and laminitis—adjust dose if side effects arise.
• Safe administration: no crushing, secure storage, avoid cross-species exposure.
• Accidental dog/cat ingestion can be serious—educate clients and plan for immediate intervention.
• Use Ask A Vet tools to support adherence, alerts, and confident home care 😊.

At Ask A Vet, we offer dose guides, symptom logs, ingestion alerts, and 24/7 messaging to empower owners managing equine Cushing’s and prevent accidental toxicity. Encourage downloading our app for connected, confident care ❤️