Is it better to treat horses with EPM or not?
Typically, the horses that only offer mild signs of EPM when treated will be the ones that are fully returned to the way they were before. And, the horses with more severe symptoms are likely to be the ones that have some lasting physical issues. But, some treatment is better than no treatment.
How long does it take for a horse to respond to EPM?
Treat for two to four weeks past the point that symptoms disappear or have stabilized. Retest CSF four months after treatment was started. If the CSF remains positive, continue treatment or try switching to a different drug regimen. • If the horse does not respond fully but CSF is negative, implement a careful exercise program.
How much diclazuril do you give a horse for EPM?
C ommonly compounded diclazuril rates are 5.0 to 15.0 mg/kg body weight. In Compendium Equine Jan/2008, Dr. Robert MacKay suggests treating relapses using diclazuril at 7mg/kg body weight; however, this protocol is not FDA-approved and has no efficacy study. The author questions how you use Protazil if the horse won’t eat the top-dress pellets.
Which is the most effective treatment for EPM?
While the new FDA-approved drugs work more quickly because they kill more effectively, a single 28-day treatment course still may not be enough, and the cost is high. Navigator appears to be the most effective but also has the highest risk of side effects.
Typically, the horses that only offer mild signs of EPM when treated will be the ones that are fully returned to the way they were before. And, the horses with more severe symptoms are likely to be the ones that have some lasting physical issues. But, some treatment is better than no treatment.
Is there a vaccine for equine myeloencephalitis ( EPM )?
There is no vaccine for EPM. The veterinary community has gone back to treating EPM with Diclazuril, which is a product used to prevent coccidiosis in chickens. I used this product over 20 years ago to treat EPM when I was in Arizona. I think it may help, but not cure a horse with EPM.
Treat for two to four weeks past the point that symptoms disappear or have stabilized. Retest CSF four months after treatment was started. If the CSF remains positive, continue treatment or try switching to a different drug regimen. • If the horse does not respond fully but CSF is negative, implement a careful exercise program.
C ommonly compounded diclazuril rates are 5.0 to 15.0 mg/kg body weight. In Compendium Equine Jan/2008, Dr. Robert MacKay suggests treating relapses using diclazuril at 7mg/kg body weight; however, this protocol is not FDA-approved and has no efficacy study. The author questions how you use Protazil if the horse won’t eat the top-dress pellets.
Is there a cure for equine myeloencephalitis?
With equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), this would be the best objective since not only is it difficult to identify that a horse has EPM in the early stages, but also because even with aggressive treatment, lingering neurologic deficits can remain. As with any disease, prevention is worth a pound of cure.
How long does it take a horse to recover from an EPM infection?
However, if the horse showed improvement and has been confirmed by CSF testing to be cured of the infection, there’s a chance the horse will return to normal over the next six to 12 months with a carefully designed exercise/rehab program. Only time will tell if damage will be permanent.
Can a horse get EPM from an opossum?
If a horse ingests feces of an opossum, or food or water contaminated with the feces of an opossum, carrying Sarcocystis Neurona, then this horse could contract EPM. While Opposums can transfer Sarcocystis Neurona from one to the next, a horse that gets it is considered a “dead-end host.”
What is the best treatment for EPM?
The FDA-approved treatments for EPM are ponazuril (5 mg/kg/day, PO, for 28 days), diclazuril (1 mg/kg/day, PO, for 28 days), and a combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine (20 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg, respectively, for at least 90 days).
What does EPM stand for in equine in medical category?
EPM stands for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. It’s a “neurologic disease in horses caused by infection with the protozoan Sarcocystis Neurona (SN). SN infects horses when they ingest the organism in contaminated feed or water,” according to the Iron Gate Equine Clinic.
What do horse owners need to know about EPM?
“Because EPM is a potentially fatal neurological disease, it’s important that horse owners learn about its causes and clinical signs so they are better prepared to recognize it.” What is EPM? EPM is a neurological disease found in horses caused by Sarcocystis neurona , a parasite that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It is a disease that, if not detected and treated, can seriously damage a horse’s central nervous system and can even lead to death.1,2. How does a horse get EPM?
How do horses get EPM?
—Emilee. A: The main protozoan that causes EPM, Sarcocystis neurona, is found in the scat of some opossums. The horse eats feed (hay or grain/concentrates) that is contaminated with S. neurona from opossum feces, and the protozoa gains entrance into the horse’s blood through the intestinal tract.
