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  Discussion on Is it EPM?
Author Message
Member:
remmi

Posted on Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 - 11:03 pm:

Dear Dr. O,

I have read your EPM article and related discussions, which are very helpful.

About 6 weeks ago my 6 yr old Trakehner gelding started hitting himself laterally, causing nicks and scrapes on the inside of his fetlock and cannon bone area, resulting in heat and swelling. It started on his front legs, and then most recently his hind legs. My vet examined him when it first happened and she prescribed SMZ because she was seeing a lot of leg infections in the area due to the wet weather, but after 5 days the swelling/heat was not gone and she switched to Baytril. However, since he continued to hit himself, he kept getting new swellings. However he was never lame.

At first I assumed it was due to the awful bug population this summer, but it has continued so I began to suspect there was more to it than that. Yesterday I took him to the local equine hospital and they did a soundness and neurological exam. Everything was good except he failed his tail pull test. The vet suspects EPM so we put him on Marquis. We did not do bloodwork, but I am now wondering if we should in the remote chance it comes back negative? Do you think that is a good idea?

You would never know by watching my horse move that he has EPM. In fact, last weekend he completed a Beginner Novice horse trial in the mud and rain, and handled himself beautifully. I did not notice any difficulty or lack of coordination.

My questions are:

1. Do you think a horse that fails the tail pull test is likely to have EPM, especially considering he is suddenly hitting himself? What other possible causes could there be?

2. He hits himself when he is on his own, but not when we ride. Does that mean anything?

3. I started with a new farrier 8 weeks ago. I think he is leaving his toes too long, but other than that his feet look normal with no sharp nails, etc. Do you think that could be causing it?

4. I already supplement with vitamin E, Se, and C. Do you recommend any supportive supplementation for EPM horses?

5. I have had several people tell me to use colloidal silver supplementation. Is there any research to back up the claims of it being antiparasitic/antiviral? Should I use it? (I am not concerned about the cost if there is a chance it could help).

6. I have read that over vaccination is a big stressor on the immune system, so you should not vaccinate for flu/rhino/strangles, etc. because they are not life threatening. Do you agree with that? What about rabies vaccine?

7. We qualified for the American Eventing Championships in mid September, which is held next door to my barn, but I have read that showing is a challenge to the immune system, so I will likely scratch. What are your thoughts on showing and EPM?

I know this was long - thank you for wading through it all!
Heidi
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 9:32 am:

1) I do not think that, by itself, it forms a good basis for diagnosis of incoordination no matter what the cause. I have seen normal horses that you can pull by the tail, these are usually even tempered compliant individuals.
2) No other than he may not be paying attention.
3) Yes foot balance and length will effect foot flight. Which
4) For our recommended therapy for EPM see the article.
5) Not that I have seen.
6) For our general recommendations on which vaccines to use see Horse Care » Horse Vaccines, Vaccination, Coggins Test » Vaccines an Overview
7) There is both some epidemiological and direct scientific evidence that suggests stress is important to inducing clinical symptoms when exposed to the EPM organism.
DrO
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