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 symptoms related to this disease vary greatly. It is dependent on the part of the nervous system that has suffered the attack. The protozoa that are present could leave the equine with spinal cord or brain stem lesions. This disease occurs most often during the summer and fall months of the year, however the fall appears to be the worst time for infection. The symptoms of the disease develop slowly and could be present in the horse for a few days after the initial infection.
The diagnosis of EPM in horses is not easy due to the similarity to many other potential neurological diseases. The symptoms of the disease vary from equine to equine and may include muscle weakness and atrophy. The animal may experience difficulty when swallowing. The horse could suffer from a sore back, a lack of suitable co-ordination and weakness.
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.
Prevention of the disease is possible in stables that do not attract opossums as they are the carriers of the disease-causing organism. Opossums are not selective about their eating fancy. They eat virtually anything, including dead animals, horse feed, dog and cat food.
To prevent these animals from invading your property, you should make sure that all food stores are secured. If there are dead animal carcasses on your property, you should make sure that these are buried as soon after death as possible. Food that has been spilled should be cleaned up immediately. If your property is at risk of opossums and you suspect that they are around, you should attempt to trap them in a humane way and remove them accordingly. You can choose to fence your property with specially designed fencing to keep opossums out. This is a good option if they have become a nuisance to your other animals.
EPM is a dangerous disease and at the first signs of it, you should arrange for examination of your horses by a veterinary specialist. Adequate veterinary care and a prompt diagnosis will give your equine the opportunity to recover from the infection. This infection often leaves horses with permanent damage. The vet will commence treatment by examining the gait and movement of the horse. It is important that blood and spinal fluid tests are done to rule out the possibility of diseases such as West Nile virus and viral encephalitis.
Treatment for EPM in horses often includes anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-protozoal drugs which will be administered by the veterinary surgeon. The treatment for this disease may take a long time and could become quite expensive. Unfortunately, it is often not successful.
The symptoms related to this disease vary greatly. It is dependent on the part of the nervous system that has suffered the attack. The protozoa that are present could leave the equine with spinal cord or brain stem lesions. This disease occurs most often during the summer and fall months of the year, however the fall appears to be the worst time for infection. The symptoms of the disease develop slowly and could be present in the horse for a few days after the initial infection.
The diagnosis of EPM in horses is not easy due to the similarity to many other potential neurological diseases. The symptoms of the disease vary from equine to equine and may include muscle weakness and atrophy. The animal may experience difficulty when swallowing. The horse could suffer from a sore back, a lack of suitable co-ordination and weakness.
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.
Prevention of the disease is possible in stables that do not attract opossums as they are the carriers of the disease-causing organism. Opossums are not selective about their eating fancy. They eat virtually anything, including dead animals, horse feed, dog and cat food.
To prevent these animals from invading your property, you should make sure that all food stores are secured. If there are dead animal carcasses on your property, you should make sure that these are buried as soon after death as possible. Food that has been spilled should be cleaned up immediately. If your property is at risk of opossums and you suspect that they are around, you should attempt to trap them in a humane way and remove them accordingly. You can choose to fence your property with specially designed fencing to keep opossums out. This is a good option if they have become a nuisance to your other animals.
EPM is a dangerous disease and at the first signs of it, you should arrange for examination of your horses by a veterinary specialist. Adequate veterinary care and a prompt diagnosis will give your equine the opportunity to recover from the infection. This infection often leaves horses with permanent damage. The vet will commence treatment by examining the gait and movement of the horse. It is important that blood and spinal fluid tests are done to rule out the possibility of diseases such as West Nile virus and viral encephalitis.
Treatment for EPM in horses often includes anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-protozoal drugs which will be administered by the veterinary surgeon. The treatment for this disease may take a long time and could become quite expensive. Unfortunately, it is often not successful.
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