Our 15 yr old QH who was perfectly healthy a week ago suddenly became sluggish, laying down alot, while standing he will shift his rear feet from side to side, like he is trying maintain his balance or his feet are hurting. He has lost muscle tone in rear hips an butocks area.
Blood test are all normal, urine test normal, appetite normal, feet x rays are normal, no lameness or coordination issues at walk, trot or canter, .....but when you stop he starts the side to side shifting of the rear feet and sweating, and will in a few minutes want to lay down.
Our vet has consulted with others and is suggesting we take him to the State Vet School in he morning. EPM test is in order. We leave at 7am for Miss State in Starkville.
Posted 2011-12-20 10:01 PM (#139612 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
Give this one some very careful consideration. Unless he is a very valuable animal, you could spent a whole lot on recovery, and most of the time those that do recover, do not do so completely for several years. I've seen full recovery take any where from a couple of years to over 7 years. A 15 yr old could be well into his 20s. Of course, make sure it is EPM, then decide your course of action.
A new horse may be a lot better way to go.
Get rid of the possums. Easiest way I found was to put a llama in with the horses. No more small animals of any kind visit the pasture now that the llama is there.
Posted 2011-12-20 11:32 PM (#139614 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
Oh yeah... I have dealt with EPM a number of times. From severe to very lightly effected. Race horses to riding horses. Yep, I live in a very bad area for it. I had to put my best horse down from EPM in Feb of this year. I have used many treatments from very expensive to homemade. To start off, check out this website: http://www.epmhorse.org/default.html That will give you alot of information. Feel free to PM me if you would like and I can tell you my story...
Posted 2011-12-21 3:22 PM (#139621 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Location: KY
Ike
I am so sorry to hear of your horse's illness. I hope and pray that you will have a good outcome. MissSt saved one of my older horses a number of years ago. Jan
Posted 2011-12-21 8:04 PM (#139624 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
OK we're back from Miss State Vet School. They want to keep him for 4 days to complete test and watch him.
He passed all the basic neuro test and they are not putting EPM at the top of the list. However they will do an EPM test along with others. Top of the list is vitamine E deficency causing muscle fatigue. He has been on stall rest for 6 weeks due to a hoof injury and is normally on pasture 24/7,so that makes sense.
I was so impressed with the facilities and staff. I would hope that all vet schools have such kind and professional people in attendance.
Bob, Alexandra and Rose, I appreciate your response and will keep u posted. Should know something by Christmas.
Rose, this is Mr Twister, my wifes horse. His pix is in my folder here.
Posted 2011-12-22 11:04 AM (#139632 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Ike, we wish for you the best results. Having a staff with both expertise and empathy look after your family member, means you are providing the best care you can for your Mr. Twister.
The best outcome would be that the ailment is diagnosed, treated and cured. We hope you enjoy all three results. Our best to you and yours for a Merry Christmas and healthy New Year.
Posted 2011-12-26 2:03 PM (#139673 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
My mother lost a horse to EPM earlier this year. You could try treating your horse for it and see if there are any improvements. That said, if it's far along, your horse will be good as a pasture pet as much of the neurological damage is not reversible. There will be people that will try to tell you otherwise, but in my limited experience, and my vets less limited experience, that is the truth of the matter. Also, care needs to be taken with the horse as the problem can recur if the horse is under stress. Which leads me to believe the treatment can only reduce the protozoa to a level the horses immune system can fight somewhat, but can not eradicate them entirely.It is troubling that they have not nailed the problem yet, but here's hoping your horse just threw his back out and a good chiropractor can fix him.
Posted 2012-01-07 5:39 PM (#139891 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
Update;
Vet school kept him for a week. Strange case. Lab for EPM bloodwork was closed for the holidays. They gave EPM treatment for the week as a precaution, along with Vitamine E supplements and a respiratory antibiotic because he was laying down so much an breathing stall shavings. We brought him home after Christmas and tapered off the meds. He seems to have fully recovered.
Lab results for EPM was 1-16. Vet said anything under 1-32 usually is negative for EPM. ( I dont know what the numbers mean. My local vet will explain when I see her next week.) One more EPM blood test set for next week.
This weekend we turned him out with the other horses. Happy Family again.
He sure was sick and no clear cause.....but we are encouraged by his quick recovery. Hope it last.
Thanks for all your comments and concern. Will keep u posted on EPM test.
Posted 2012-01-11 10:45 AM (#139954 - in reply to #139894) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
So happy for your good outcome. My neighbor lost a horse to EPM, and it was agonizing to watch the horse suffer. Any opposums that I ever encounter around here get disposed of asap. Any hay with poop on it is also disposed of even if I can't differentiate whether its origin is cat or opposum.
IMO, the best thing you did was to take your horse to a university facility. I had a very sick horse and ended up at the University of Illinois Vet School/Hospital. Long story short~WOW. My horse survived the removal of a huge cecal tumor.
Posted 2012-01-20 6:58 PM (#140161 - in reply to #139611) Subject: RE: EPM ?
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
Final Update (I hope)
Second blood work was sent to anoher lab and a more intensive test was conducted. Horse tested negative for EPM.
The first test at the vet school was positive for EPM. I misunderstood the readings but now understand after my local vet explained on paper. Whatever was wrong was very strange and vet is not ruleing out a minor epm infection. The meds given during that first week killed whatever it was.
Keep close watch on your horses so that u notice any strang behavior and address it ASAP. This is what saved Mr Twister we think.
EPM ?
