EPM - EQUINE PROTOZOAL MYELOENCEPHALITIS

[foreunder]

I noticed Robbi is dealing with the same thing so I thought I would start a new thread on it to get feedback from all. Ironically enough I have a blue roan TW that was recently diagnosed with EPM. I thought he was lame on his front left at first so I had the vet out right away to perform xrays and when the vet looked at him he suspected EPM. We immediately put him on sulfa and drew blood and had it sent to Michigan State for testing. The first test came back borderline positive so we believe we caught it right away or it might be a false positive (not likely from what I understand). Last week we drew blood again and we are waiting for the results which we should have back any day now. The good thing is that he's not getting any worse and from what I understand that's a positive sign??????

I have only been doing field trials for about a year and a half but like most people on here, I got hooked. This was my first field trial horse and I have had him for about a year, he's my buddy and it's hard to think about what might end up happening to him.

I'm all ears if you have experience with EPM.

[Anaconda Pintler]

The only way this disease can be diagnosed 100% correct is thru a spinal tap and draw spinal fluid to be tested. The only thing bloodwork will do it signify notifiers in other words give you a heads up to look into it further!

[CherrystoneWeims]

Ugh I remember back in the 70's and 80's we had a huge outbreak of Equine Encephalitis in New England. I had several friends who lost their horses from it and also know of quite a few humans who got it. It originated from the pheasant population and the mosquitoes transmitting it.

[pkatzel]

I have a friend whose horse had this and recovered nicely. He followed the instructions and meds as per Vets advice. Hope this brings some relief to your fears....Paul

[Blue Dawn Kennel]

Yes the spinal tap is really the only way to positively diagnose if the horse truely has EPM. Another sure sign is like we did by putting him on the Uniprim (Sulfa based meds) for 14 straight days and if any positive signs show from this treatment then it's another good bet that's what it is. We could tell in Bo's gait, appearence out in the field with the other horses and when we put him in a halter/leadrope to lead to medicate. His stance was more sold and steady, he didn't stand spraddle legged, the didn't loose his balance and he darn sure wasn't stumbling. He lead like a bull in a china closet where before you'd almost have to pull and wait on him to catch up with you. NOT the case now. We saw the difference starting @ about 5-6 days into the Uniprim (we also just in case of inflammitory gave him 5cc's of Deximethizone every other day for 5 days). I called the equine specialist and told him we could see 100% difference in the colt and we were going with the next step and that was to put him on Bayer's Marquis (made especially for EPM) it's pricey but after Keith and I talked and knew the colt is very very nice we opted to go for it since we saw such a drastic improvement just with the Uniprin. I've just finished my 1st tube of the Marquis (one tube lasts 7 days) you give it for 28 days, you have 4 huge tubes you give them just as if you were worming them with a paste wormer.
My equine specialist also gave me a magizine that he'd gotten with an article just so happened was on EPM. I'll try to scan it and post it on here for you to read course you can just punch in on Google or any search EPM or Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis.
Something else at least 90 some percent of all horses carry this but will not come up with the symptoms. Strange huh??
Foreunder best of luck with your horse and keep us posted. Mines fixing to get reset on his shoes and start working soon!!!

[foreunder]

I want to thank everyone for their posts and also update you on the condition of my gelding. After my gelding went through all of his EPM medicine (6 weeks worth) the vet finally cleared me to ride him. I was able to ride him the last two weekends at Branched Oak. I was there for the GSPC of NE walking trial and then again last weekend for the GSPC of Lincoln horseback trial. I spent several hours on him both weekends and he did great. He was 100% and back to acting like himself again.

It looks like we're good to go!

Thanks again.

[Blue Dawn Kennel]

My blue roan Bo that has the EPM took his last batch of Marquis this morning and I had ridden him some last night then road him in training for 3 hrs today. He's 10 x stronger, has more go and also now thinks he has a little bit of an attitude and that he should @ times be the driver. lol For the most part he did great, still going to take some time to build strength back up in his backend but he's not stumbling, wobbly , lethargic or any of that now. I'm planning on bringing him out to the Nationals in Eureka and riding him during the Amateur for little bits and during my time I'm not scouting/running dogs. So happy he's doing well and that you all that have horses with this are doing well. Anyway just though I'd let you know and will continue to keep you posted on his progress.

[nrcgsp]

I haven't been on here very much lately, so just reading this. I talked to Robbi alot about the EPM, my brother-in-law had two rope horses get it. They couldn't walk down hill without falling, backend was very weak. After treatment, both returned to roping and going to USTRC competitions and did great. They had full recovery and went on where they left off. However, if you don't catch it and treat it, it is fatal. And unless they get infected again, symptoms should not return.

[RayGubernat]

It is my understanding that the Opossum is the primary carrier of this disease to horses. They spread it in their scat.

If you have any 'possums in your area, an active trapping campaign might be in order. There are no poisons that are labelled for this particular critter that I am aware of, but they are apparently not very wary, so a baited Havahart trap should work.

One trialer in VA said that after reading up on this disease they went out and trapped out something in the neighborhood of seventy 'possums in their neighborhood. THAT is scary.

RayG