26
Jan
High fat and soluble fiber rations should be utilized when feeding horses that are recovering from EPM. Without treatment the progression of EPM is somewhat unpredictable as the neurologic signs in untreated horses usually get worsefrom the more mild signs to ataxia recumbency or death in hours to years with periods of severe exacerbations possible after prolonged periods of quiescence.
The effect of becoming infected by the parasite varies by horse.
Can a horse die from epm. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis EPM is a devastating disease that can leave horses severely disabled and may result in death. Diagnosis is often difficult because the onset is very similar to other diseases especially Chagas. EPM can be deadly if left untreated but thankfully it is a treatable condition.
If you fear that your horse might have EPM dont hesitate to call your vet. As you read the sooner symptoms are recognized and treated the more likely your horse is to make a full recovery. Additionally can a horse die from EPM.
Without treatment the progression of EPM is somewhat unpredictable as the neurologic signs in untreated horses usually get worsefrom the more mild signs to ataxia recumbency or death in hours to years with periods of severe exacerbations possible after prolonged periods of quiescence. Secondary oxidative damage also occurs which explains why vitamin E a natural antioxidant has been advocated for horses with EPM. Experts recommend administering between 5000 and 10000 IU of natural vitamin E per day for horses with EPM.
Nano-E a natural form of vitamin E that is water-soluble and rapidly absorbed is often recommended by veterinarians for use in horses with EPM shared Crandell. Horses can become infected with EPM by coming into contact with opossum feces while grazing or by ingesting feed contaminated by an opossum carrying S. Horses cannot pass the disease to one another so theres no need to isolate affected horses out of fear of spreading the disease.
High quality highly palatable forage should be fed as many horses with EPM suffer weight loss. High fat and soluble fiber rations should be utilized when feeding horses that are recovering from EPM. Excellent quality protein and amino acids are required to help rebuild damaged nerve and muscle tissue.
Since then I have received numerous emails each week on the subject of EPM its diagnosis and treatment. One of the emails I received was from someone whose horse had recently completed the lengthy course of treatment. The writer wanted to know what they could expect from their horse as far as a return to his former level of fitness and competition.
Horses as young as six months and into their 30s have been infected with EPM. After a horse has ingested the protozoa it travels through the digestive tract and enters the bloodstream. If the horses immune system does not clear the protozoa from the blood it can cross the blood brain barrier.
Not all horses with EPM can be saved unfortunately. This video shows a chestnut horse with the disease that was a few days later humanely euthanized for safety reasons. Unstable horses can hurt themselves or anyone close enough to be in the way if they fall.
EPM stands for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. Its an infection caused by a parasite that attacks the horses nervous system. There are a couple of parasites involved and the most common carriers are opossums.
The effect of becoming infected by the parasite varies by horse. Common EPM Symptoms of the Body. A very common symptom reported for EPM is uncoordinated movement of the rear feet worse on one side asymmetrical ataxia.
This symptom is often worse moving uphill or downhill and while stopping or raising the head. Lameness issues that come and go often switching sides. Changes to any gait lethargy.
Due to the transport of horses and feedstuffs from one part of the country to another almost all horses are at risk. Not all horses exposed to the protozoan Sarcocystis neurona will develop the disease and show clinical signs of EPM. Some horses seem to mount an effective immune response and are able to combat the disease before it gains a foothold.
EPM in horses is not a very serious disease but without treatment may lead to progressive death. Moreover treatment is a costly affair for every disease. The preventive measures for the disease I have discussed are also important for other diseases.
As a horse owner you must keep your horse safe and free from all possible risk factors. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis EPM is a serious and potentially fatal neurologic disease of horses. It is also a disease near and dear to my heart as two horses that I owned both developed it.
My thoroughbred was treated made a near 100 recovery and hasnt had a single relapse. The mean age of affected horses has been 36 28 years. In a more recent study on proportional morbidity rate an indicator of incidence of EPM among a population of horses researchers found a.
Horses that are suffering from EPM will also be painful around the occiput and atlas due to the inflammation going on in the spinal cord. If you have the horse walk and have someone walk behind them and pull them by the tail off to one side they will be unable to. Since most horses exposed to EPM never develop the disease the causes of reinfection are likely to be the dose of organism consumed health of the horses immune system and digestive tract and possibly an immune defect in highly susceptible horses.
Horses that have had EPM probably should not be allowed to graze. EPM is wrongly written off as a disease your horse could only get from raccoons cats birds armadillos skunks or sea otters. Another common similarity seen in horses with hind gut acidity neurological symptoms and EPM problems is a history of being fed DE diatomaceous earth products.