What do you give a horse with EPM?
What do you give a horse with EPM?
There are two treatment options for EPM.
- A six-month course of antibiotic (trimethoprim-sulfonamide) and antiprotozoal agent (pyrimethamine).
- A 28-day course of antiprotozoal (ponazuril). Horses may need a second round of ponazuril in some cases. This is the only FDA-approved treatment for EPM.
Does Vitamin E help horses with EPM?
Supplemental vitamin E within the range of 5,000-10,000 IUs per day is typically recommended for horses suffering from neurologic and neuromuscular conditions. If you are not actively treating your mare for EPM, then lower supplemental levels of vitamin E at 1,000-3,000 IUs per day may suffice.
Can a horse recover from EPM without treatment?
If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurological deficits. The success rate for treated horses is high. Many will improve and a smaller percentage will recover completely, but 10-20% of cases may relapse within two years.
How do I stop my horse from getting EPM?
EPM Prevention Tips
- Maintain a clean barn or facility.
- Clean your water tank often and always provide fresh, clean water.
- Keep lids on containers including grain and supplements.
- Avoid leaving cat or dog food out for free choice eating.
- Keep garbage cans tightly sealed.
- Take measures to reduce your horse’s stress.
Can you treat EPM naturally?
The nutrient that is most commonly focused on for horses with EPM is Vitamin E. Supplementation with high levels of natural Vitamin E are often encouraged, as Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that supports nerve function and the immune system. Levels of 5,000 to 10,000 IU per day are recommended during treatment.
Can a horse with EPM be ridden?
A Horses that recover completely can return to their original intended use. For horses that do recover, the improvement is based on the initial severity of the clinical signs (see box). However, not all horses that “improve” according to the clinical scale are able to be safely ridden again.
How much Vit E does a horse need?
Current National Research Council (NRC) daily recommendations for vitamin E in horses are 1 -2 IU/kg body weight, however, these NRC recommendations do not discriminate between natural or synthetic sources.
How much folic acid does a horse need?
Based on requirements in other animals, the folate requirement for horses is likely approximately 1 mg / kg of DM, or 10 mg per day for a 500 kg horse.
Should you stall a horse with EPM?
Stall rest won’t help these neurological signs — and it could be equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). The earlier the diagnosis and treatment begins, the better your clients horse’s chances for recovery.
Can horses get EPM twice?
A: The short answer is, yes, horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) can relapse.
Is there a preventative for EPM in horses?
Can EPM be prevented? There are currently no vaccines for EPM, so pest and feed management are the best methods for prevention. A horse that contracts EPM cannot spread it to other horses, so there is no need to quarantine an infected horse.
Can horses get EPM from hay?
EPM can affect horses of any age, breed or gender. EPM cannot be passed from horse to horse. Caused by a protozoa, horses acquire EPM through pasture hay, grain, and water contaminated with opossum feces. Early detection and treatment increases chance for recovery.