[Loosewolf]

EQUINE PROTOZOAL MYELOENCEPHALITIS
I wonder, has anyone suspected or been given a diagnosis of this disease with you horse?
What were the symptoms you had seen, how old was your horse, and what outcome have you had?
I ask as, I hopefully will not be dealing with this....but I'd like to know others experiences

Thanks Lw

 

[Ryle]

You can find lots of info about EPM here:
The Horse | EPM Diagnosis EPM Diagnosis
The Horse | Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM): Debunking the Myths EPM--Debunking the Myths
The Horse | EPM Treatment EPM Treatment

 

[EPMhorse]

LooseWolf,
EPM can look like, and share neurological symptoms of many other diseases. Any muscle or organ from the lips to the tail can be involved, as can attitude and behavior changes. This is why it is so hard to diagnose. If you think you might be dealing with EPM, have the vet pull blood for an IFAT test through UC Davis.

There are two other sources for helpful information besides the ones Cindy gave you:
www.EPMhorse.org basic information on the disease, tests, symptoms, drugs, and rehab - a lot of reading, but well worth the time. It also has a blog about the rehab of an EPM horse.

EPM : Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis.

Read before the next time the vet comes out, so that you know what questions to ask the vet.

 

[5cuetrain]

EPM is pretty serious stuff. Only one thing to share--go with the Bayer drug--its more expensive but the chances for full recovery are much better than the cheaper stuff.

 

[EPMhorse]

5cueTrain,
The reasearch says otherwise. All of the FDA approved EPM drugs fall within the 57% to 60% success rate. The Sulpha/Pyrimeth. combination that was approved as ReBalance has to be given longer, but is still effective. It is available compounded, as ReBalance is off the market. Navigator is no longer available. Diclazuril is available compounded, and is a very close cousin to Marquis, but far cheaper. Baycox, available in Canada, and often used at the tracks in the US, is not legal here.

Treating quickly is important, and Diclazurila and Marquis will act faster on the protozoa than will sulpha/pyrimeth.

LooseWolf, If your horse tests positive for EPM, don't get sucked into alternative medicines to treat EPM. While I use alternative meds for other reasons, they are not effective to kill the EPM protozoa. They can be an effective way to improve a horse's immune system, but not to kill the infection.

 

[tscowgirl]

One of my most athletic mares was diagnosed with epm, we caught it early as a recurring, traveling lameness and she held her head different than usual. easy to spot when we were working her 5 days a week. we treated it with smzs and although we have to re-treat sometimes she is mostly doing well, there was not a full recovery but epm damage is permanent. she is still showing and doing well just not as athletic as she used to be and we are working with chiropractics to help with some minor issues that MAY have been because of EPM

 

[Ryle]

tscowgirl, you mean that you used sulfadiazine along with pyrimethamine don't you? If you used SMZ-TMP, you didn't treat EPM.