Does vitamin E help with EPM?
The nutrient that is most commonly focused on for horses with EPM is Vitamin E. Supplementation with high levels of natural Vitamin E are often encouraged, as Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that supports nerve function and the immune system. Levels of 5,000 to 10,000 IU per day are recommended during treatment.
Can horses get EPM twice?
Should I have him treated again? A: The short answer is, yes, horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) can relapse.
How long does it take for a horse to recover from EPM?
About 60 to 70 percent of horses treated for EPM will improve, and 15 to 25 percent will recover completely. Starting treatment early will lead to the best results. The greatest amount of improvement is seen within the first four weeks.
What causes EPM relapse?
Multiple factors are involved in an EPM relapse, including the dose and type of drug used, as well as the variability of the individual horse to clear the organisms. A veterinarian caring for a horse that has another episode of EPM should investigate lengthening the duration of treatment.
Can you ride a horse after EPM?
A Horses that recover completely can return to their original intended use. For horses that do recover, the improvement is based on the initial severity of the clinical signs (see box). However, not all horses that “improve” according to the clinical scale are able to be safely ridden again.
Is EPM painful for horses?
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 right themselves.
Should you stall a horse with EPM?
DON'T STALL if you see these signs, it could be EPM. Stall rest won't help these neurological signs — and it could be equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). The earlier the diagnosis and treatment begins, the better your clients horse's chances for recovery.
What should I feed my horse with EPM?
Dietary and Management RecommendationsLow starch, high fiber and added fat are recommended since there is an increased incidence of digestive disturbances (diarrhea) as a side effect of treatment.Folic acid and vitamin E have been found to aid in nerve healing and should be included in the daily regimen.More items...
What is a high titer for EPM?
Although a wide range of serum titers was observed for necropsy positive EPM cases, there was a trend for higher serum titers (≥ 1:4000) to correlate better with EPM.
How long does it take to treat EPM?
The duration of treatment is often difficult to determine. Therefore, horses should be re-evaluated after one month of treatment. If improvement is seen but clinical signs remain, another month of treatment is recommended. However, if the horse appears clinically normal, treatment can be discontinued.
What causes hind end weakness in horses?
One common cause of hind limb weakness, or paresis, is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. EPM is caused by Sarcocystis neurona, a microscopic protozoa, that migrates randomly through the spinal cord and brain. It can affect any limb and the signs may vary; muscle atrophy is a common finding in horses with EPM.
Is there a vaccine for EPM?
A vaccine against Sarcocystis neurona, a causative agent for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), has been available since 2000, but its efficacy has been unclear.
Can EPM symptoms come and go?
A key feature in EPM is that the symptoms are asymmetric – which means that they can be worse on one side of the body. Signs of illness may come on suddenly or progress slowly. Some signs are almost imperceptible at first but progressively get worse.
What are the first signs of EPM in horses?
Symptoms of EPM Almost always asymmetric (not the same on both sides of the animal), symptoms result from nerve inflammation, swelling and cell death. Owners frequently notice obscure lameness, stumbling and incoordination. If the brain stem is involved, usually a head tilt is present.
Can you breed a mare with EPM?
Fast Facts. EPM can affect horses of any age, breed or gender. EPM cannot be passed from horse to horse. Caused by a protozoa, horses acquire EPM through pasture hay, grain, and water contaminated with opossum feces.
How can you prevent EPM?
To prevent EPM, opossums should be kept out of the barn and especially away from sources of hay, feed, and water. Keeping cats or dogs loose in the barn might help discourage midnight raids by opossums on the feed.
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Background
- EPM is a devastating equine neurological disease. Although the disease is relatively common, we know little about how an underlying infection, Sarcocystis neurona, affects disease progression or the way an affected horse’s immune system fights the disease. EPM can lead to long-term, perm…
Eligibility
- Written owner informed consent obtained prior to accepting the horse
- EPM-affected horses whose owners have chosen euthanasia for medical or quality-of-life reasons
- Positive test for antibodies in the CSF
- Age > 1 year
Exclusion Criteria
- Any uncontrolled medical condition that may disrupt study intent and objectives
- Horse is pregnant
Study Design
- For this study, we are seeking horses who need to be euthanized for medical or quality-of-life reasons. No healthy, sound horses will be enrolled. This study involves investigation of the immune response in EPM-affected horses compared to unaffected horses who are being euthanized for another reason, such as lameness. We hope our findings will allow us to determi…
Compensation
- At the discretion of the study investigator and depending on clinical signs and test results, euthanasia, testing for EPM (if needed), necropsy, and disposal fees may be included.
Relevant Links
Contact
- Dr. Sharon Witonsky, Associate Professor, Equine Field Service Email: [email protected] Office Phone: 540-231-9042 If your query is urgent, please call the Large Animal Hospital on 540-231-9042 and ask for Dr. Witonsky to be paged.