Archive Case #53: Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction

Clinical Clues

1. An older pony is presented for a long shaggy coat that has not shed normally this season.
2. The owner also reports increased drinking and a history of repeated hoof soreness.
3. On examination there is regional adiposity and a curly hair coat.
4. The pony has had more than one previous laminitic episode.
5. Endocrine testing supports a chronic age-associated hormonal disorder.
6. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction commonly causes hypertrichosis, laminitis, and metabolic change in older horses.

Diagnosis

Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction

This case is most consistent with Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction because the older pony has abnormal coat retention, recurrent laminitis, and supportive endocrine testing. The most important clues are the hypertrichosis and age-related endocrine pattern, which make a simple seasonal coat problem unlikely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.