EPM equine <\/strong>is a debilitating and often deadly disease. It’s caused by a protozoan parasite, Sarcocystis neurona<\/em>, which infects its host’s central nervous system (CNS). The clinical signs vary and can range from mild to severe depending on the horse’s immune response to infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While many EPM treatment <\/strong>options are available, none have proven to be 100% effective for every case. In addition, it can take months or even years for a horse to recover from this debilitating disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to prevent this opossum disease in horses<\/strong> is through vaccination and parasite control measures such as deworming medications and fly control products. However, these methods alone are insufficient to eliminate the risk of infection with Sarcocystis neurona protozoa (the causative agent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, many infected horses may never show clinical signs because they live on farms with other animals who act as carriers without exhibiting symptoms themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today we’ll cover everything you need to know about this disease so you can keep your horse healthy! We will help you understand the symptoms of EPM in horses<\/strong>, how it’s transmitted, and how to prevent it. You’ll also find links to some great resources for more information on EPM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s dive in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be hard to recognize the symptoms of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), especially if you’re not a horse owner. The first symptoms are often subtle and vague, so it’s hard to recognize them as being related to EPM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you notice any of these signs of EPM in horses<\/strong>, talk with your veterinarian about testing for EPM or Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early diagnosis of EPM in horses<\/strong> allows treatment before the disease gets worse.<\/p>\n\n\n Several factors can lead to an increase in the severity of symptoms and speed up the progression of EPM<\/strong>. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s take a closer look at each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gut acidity is increased when horses eat foods high in carbohydrates or sugar content, such as grains and molasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This causes an increase in lactic acid production which leads to decreased pH levels within the digestive tract. When this occurs, protozoan cysts can start to reproduce more rapidly, leading to more severe cases of EPM<\/strong> over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Body temperature also plays a role. For example, suppose your horse has elevated body temperatures due to fever or other illnesses. In that case, they will be less able to fight off infection from parasites like Sarcocystis neurona<\/em> (the cause of EPM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same goes for immune suppression caused by stressors such as travel or competition, which can lower your horse’s ability to fight off infections, including those caused by protozoal parasites like Sarcocystis neurona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calcium depletion also contributes because it decreases bone density making them weaker and more susceptible to falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s essential to know how these factors play into the development of this disease so you can prevent future outbreaks from occurring on your farm or ranch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veterinarians diagnose EPM<\/strong> by checking the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the horse. The test typically requires the veterinarian to tap fluid from the animal’s sac surrounding their brain and spinal cord, called the meninges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This would generally require sedating and then inserting a needle into this space of protective tissue. But, tapping is an alternative method that can be performed by hand. The CSF should then be examined for evidence of inflammation, such as white blood cells or elevated protein levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cytology tests may also be performed on samples if any factors suggest infection with parasites like protozoa or trypanosomes. In general, however, these tests do not have a high enough sensitivity threshold to detect early infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is EPM in horses curable?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n EPM treatment in horses<\/strong> is either a six-month course of antibiotic and antiprotozoal or a 28-day course of ponazuril. Ponazuril<\/a> is the only FDA-approved medication to treat this disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Horses may need supportive care depending on their condition. General support such as good nutrition and hydration supplements can help recover after an infection has been treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s best to start EPM<\/strong> medication <\/strong>as soon as possible. Around 60-70% of horses aggressively treated for the disease will show significant or complete recovery, and many can return to normal activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is some information you should know about EPM treatment<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three main ways to prevent EPM in horses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trail riding in an area with known cases of EPM<\/strong> is risky, for example. It’s best to avoid areas known to have been previously contaminated with horses that had the disease. It’s also crucial to see your veterinarian<\/a> before going on multi-day excursions into potentially arthritic places like national parks. This way, you’ll be able to learn about any risks involved beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaccinating your horse will protect them from the disease<\/a> and keep them healthy. It’s as simple as that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many benefits of vaccinating your horse against EPM<\/strong>. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step toward successful treatment is early diagnosis. Once your veterinarian confirms the presence of an active case of EPM<\/strong>, we recommend starting treatment as soon as possible. This will help reduce damage to the central nervous system caused by this disease and improve chances for recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your horse has been diagnosed with EPM<\/strong>, it’s essential to know that there is hope for recovery. With the proper treatment and care, horses can recover from this disease and live happy lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only about half of horses will improve after receiving treatment. The other half may either stay the same or get worse, depending on how severe their symptoms are, to begin with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With very mild signs, a horse might be able to return into full athletic use, but those with more severe symptoms might never become safe enough for riding again.<\/p>\n\n\n EPM<\/strong> is a widespread disease that has been troubling horses for years. It’s still hard to diagnose and difficult to tell apart from other neurological disorders, but here are nine facts about this devastating illness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fears have been raised that EPM in horses<\/strong> can be contagious to people and other living animals. However, the current evidence does not support this theory because there is no direct biological evidence that the disease can make it into another animal species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite these claims, scientists are still unsure because of how closely related horses and humans are biological. But as of now, they do not believe EPM<\/strong> is transmittable to humans or other animals such as cows, pigs, or chickens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, because a horse cannot transmit diseases to an entire herd’s population at once as mosquitos do with West Nile virus, for example, the chances of one person contracting the illness from a given horse are meager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step is to call your veterinarian. EPM<\/strong> can have many causes, and you need an expert to identify the cause and then formulate a treatment plan specific for your horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vet will likely do blood work and urinalysis to detect antibodies associated with EPM<\/strong> before diagnosing the animal with this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EPM in horses<\/strong> is a neurological disease, and it’s not contagious. The longer the horse has been infected, the higher chance of them having symptoms. Horses are at risk if their immune system isn’t strong enough to fight off infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways for you as an owner to protect your horses from this devastating disease, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information on how to take care of your equine health concerns, please visit our website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis? What is EPM in horses? EPM equine is a debilitating and often deadly disease. It’s … <\/p>\nKnown Symptoms of EPM in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"horse\"](\"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/horse-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAssociated Factors That Can Progress Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How is EPM in Equines Diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treatment Options Against EPM in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Results of EPM Treatment in Horses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Can This Debilitating Disease be Prevented?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Avoid Risky Exposure <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
EPM Vaccination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"giving](\"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/giving-vaccine-to-horse.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTreat EPM Aggressively if it Does Occur<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
EPM in Horses and The Prognosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"riding](\"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/riding-horse.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n9 Facts About Opossum Disease in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Is EPM in Horses Contagious to Other Horses and Humans?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Should I Do If I Suspect My Horse Has EPM?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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