A disease called EPM in horses is caused by a tiny parasite which affects the neurological systems. The parasite responsible for this is found in opossums. Horses generally come into contact with the parasite if their feed or water has been contaminated by opossum feces.
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.
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.
In mild cases of the disease, the horse may present with mild stumbling and lameness. If the disease is not treated timorously, the equine will ultimately be unable to swallow or stand up of its own accord. Once it reaches this point of severity, the horse may die. The horse may also suffer from a tilted head and drooping eyelids. The disease is experienced by horses of any age, breed or sex. Younger equine are at higher risk, as are those that are transported on a frequent basis.
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 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.
This disease is dangerous and if your equine has symptoms indicating possible infection, it should undergo a veterinary examination as soon as possible. An early diagnosis and adequate veterinary care will give the horse the opportunity to fully recover from the infection. However, the horse may suffer permanent damage due to the infection. The gait and normal movement of your horse will be the starting point of the vet's examination. Blood and spinal fluid tests should be done to eliminate diseases like the West Nile virus and viral encephalitis.
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.
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.
In mild cases of the disease, the horse may present with mild stumbling and lameness. If the disease is not treated timorously, the equine will ultimately be unable to swallow or stand up of its own accord. Once it reaches this point of severity, the horse may die. The horse may also suffer from a tilted head and drooping eyelids. The disease is experienced by horses of any age, breed or sex. Younger equine are at higher risk, as are those that are transported on a frequent basis.
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 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.
This disease is dangerous and if your equine has symptoms indicating possible infection, it should undergo a veterinary examination as soon as possible. An early diagnosis and adequate veterinary care will give the horse the opportunity to fully recover from the infection. However, the horse may suffer permanent damage due to the infection. The gait and normal movement of your horse will be the starting point of the vet's examination. Blood and spinal fluid tests should be done to eliminate diseases like the West Nile virus and viral encephalitis.
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.