PRASCEND^® (pergolide mesylate) approved by the Veterinary Drug Directorate of Health Canada for treatment of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses.

Burlington, ON, March 9th 2014 – Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. announced that the Veterinary Drug Directorate of Health Canada has approved PRASCEND^® (pergolide mesylate) for the treatment of clinical signs associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses, also known as Equine Cushing’s disease.

PRASCEND^® is the first and only Health Canada approved product for the management of PPID in horses. Administered in tablet form, treatment with PRASCEND^® can improve the quality of life for PPID-affected horses by managing clinical signs and decreasing the risk of complications of the disease, including those that have the potential to be life-threatening.

It is estimated that one in seven horses over the age of 15 has PPID and horses as young as seven years of age have been diagnosed with the disease1. In addition, up to 70 percent of clinical laminitis cases also may be affected with underlying PPID2. The most common clinical signs of advanced-stage PPID that occur in horses are hirsutism (hypertrichosis) or an abnormal amount of hair growth, abnormal sweating, weight loss, muscle wasting, abnormal fat distribution, lethargy, laminitis, polyuria/polydipsia and chronic/recurrent infections.

Unfortunately, PPID is not a curable disease. However, PRASCEND^® does offer a safe and efficacious treatment option to veterinarians and horse owners that can help reduce the clinical signs of the disease and effectively improve the quality of life of infected horses.

Because the early symptoms of PPID may be difficult to recognize, some horses with PPID may go undiagnosed until the disease becomes more advanced. Through regular veterinary wellness exams, oftentimes the disease can be caught earlier. By beginning treatment in the earlier stages of the disease, it is possible to reduce the risk of some potential complications associated with PPID, such as laminitis, recurring infections, dental disease and other potential issues of uncontrolled PPID.

Not only can PRASCEND^® aid in the management of clinical signs of disease, the Health Canada approval also assures the product has been thoroughly evaluated for safety and efficacy. In addition, PRASCEND^® has met the standards set by Health Canada in regard to production to preserve its identity, strength, quality, purity and consistency from batch to batch, and the product has demonstrated stability and effectiveness over time through a variety of environmental conditions.

For more information regarding PRASCEND^®, please contact your veterinarian or your Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Animal Health representative.