Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis or EPM in horses is a neurological disease that is caused by a small parasite. The parasite is carried by opossums. Equine are exposed to the disease if they eat feed or drink water which has been contaminated by feces from opossums.
The disease symptoms vary greatly. These depend on the part of the nervous system which has been attacked. The protozoa could cause the equine to be left with lesions on the spinal cord and the brain stem. This disease is most prevalent during the summer and the fall months, with the fall being the time it is found most. The symptoms are quite slow in developing and could be present many days after infection has occurred.
It is quite difficult to diagnose EPM in horses as the symptoms are similar to several other neurological diseases. The symptoms vary from one horse to another and may include muscle atrophy and weakness. The animal may have difficulty in swallowing. The horse may experience a sore back, weakness and lack of co-ordination.
If the equine has a mild form of the disease, it may suffer from slight lameness and mild stumbling. If this is not treated in time, the horse will eventually be unable to stand up or swallow. In severe cases such as these, the horse is at risk of death. The equine may indicate drooping eyelids and a tilted head. The disease can affect horses of any sex, breed or age. The risk is much higher in younger horses and those that are frequently transported.
To try and prevent the disease in stables, you should make the area unattractive to opossums, since they carry the organism which is the cause of the disease. Opossums are not choosy about what they eat. They eat almost anything, including cat and dog food, horse feed and dead animals.
To avoid invasion from these animals, ensure that all food stores are secure. If there are animal carcasses on the property, ensure that they are buried as quickly as possible. Spilled feed should be cleaned up promptly and not left lying around. If you suspect that opossums are on your property, you should trap them in a humane manner and remove them. It is possible to obtain fencing that has been specially designed to keep them out. This is a good option to consider if opossums have become a nuisance on your property.
This is a dangerous disease and horses that show signs of it should be examined by a veterinary specialist as soon as possible. A quick diagnosis and proper veterinary care will allow the horse to recover from the disease. The infection may leave the animal with permanent damage. The vet will normally examine the movement and gait of the equine. It is vital that spinal fluid and blood tests are undertaken to rule out diseases such as viral encephalitis and West Nile virus.
Different types of drugs will be used during treatment for EPM in horses. This will include anti-microbial, anti-protozoal and anti-inflammatory drugs. The treatment process for the disease is a lengthy and fairly expensive one. Unfortunately, the available treatment options are not always a success.
The disease symptoms vary greatly. These depend on the part of the nervous system which has been attacked. The protozoa could cause the equine to be left with lesions on the spinal cord and the brain stem. This disease is most prevalent during the summer and the fall months, with the fall being the time it is found most. The symptoms are quite slow in developing and could be present many days after infection has occurred.
It is quite difficult to diagnose EPM in horses as the symptoms are similar to several other neurological diseases. The symptoms vary from one horse to another and may include muscle atrophy and weakness. The animal may have difficulty in swallowing. The horse may experience a sore back, weakness and lack of co-ordination.
If the equine has a mild form of the disease, it may suffer from slight lameness and mild stumbling. If this is not treated in time, the horse will eventually be unable to stand up or swallow. In severe cases such as these, the horse is at risk of death. The equine may indicate drooping eyelids and a tilted head. The disease can affect horses of any sex, breed or age. The risk is much higher in younger horses and those that are frequently transported.
To try and prevent the disease in stables, you should make the area unattractive to opossums, since they carry the organism which is the cause of the disease. Opossums are not choosy about what they eat. They eat almost anything, including cat and dog food, horse feed and dead animals.
To avoid invasion from these animals, ensure that all food stores are secure. If there are animal carcasses on the property, ensure that they are buried as quickly as possible. Spilled feed should be cleaned up promptly and not left lying around. If you suspect that opossums are on your property, you should trap them in a humane manner and remove them. It is possible to obtain fencing that has been specially designed to keep them out. This is a good option to consider if opossums have become a nuisance on your property.
This is a dangerous disease and horses that show signs of it should be examined by a veterinary specialist as soon as possible. A quick diagnosis and proper veterinary care will allow the horse to recover from the disease. The infection may leave the animal with permanent damage. The vet will normally examine the movement and gait of the equine. It is vital that spinal fluid and blood tests are undertaken to rule out diseases such as viral encephalitis and West Nile virus.
Different types of drugs will be used during treatment for EPM in horses. This will include anti-microbial, anti-protozoal and anti-inflammatory drugs. The treatment process for the disease is a lengthy and fairly expensive one. Unfortunately, the available treatment options are not always a success.
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