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  Discussion on Experience with Navigator?
Author Message
Member:
Rob10549

Posted on Friday, Jun 10, 2005 - 5:16 am:

Hi,
Four days ago I started my horse on Navigator. I was hoping to hear from others who have used the drug. My horse, a 15 yr old thoroughbred, was diagnosed in January. We treated him for 2 straight months with Marquis. Last month I noticed a return of worsening symptoms, a Western Blot confirmed that his titers had not changed since the initial diagnosis. The decision to try Navigator was monumental as my vet does not approve of using the drug. He was part of the initial clinical trials and did not like the outcomes from the study. We chose the drug as a last ditch effort to turn my horse around. Using Marquis again didn't make sense to us since it's effects were not lasting and clearly did not slow down the effects of the disease.
I am now starting Day 4 on Navigator. I am living in constant fear that my horse will become sick from the medication but am trying to tell myself that I am doing the right thing. He hates the taste of the medication and after I administer a half dose he opens his mouth, as if yawning, and then his eyes roll into the back of his head which makes me feel intense emotional pain. I try to give him a treat afterwards but he refuses for at least 5 min. As of yesterday, he had no temperature, no raging digital pulses, dark stool and urine, a good appetite and seems a bit lethargic. It's a day to day kind of thing. Emotionally for the horse owner, this is a torture. I spend most of my waking day worrying about my horse. You get up in the morning worrying about what you'll find when you get to the barn. The vet from the company is phenomenal and is on call for me 24 hrs a day if I need him. Anyone deciding to use the drug can feel assured that you'll get back up from the company. If any of you have used the drug and would care to share your experiences I would appreaciate it. Good or bad. I am so afraid of when it's time to deliver a full dose of the paste b/c I see what half a dose causes in my horse.
Euthanasia is a constant thought in my mind b/c I don't know how much either one of us can take.
Robin
Member:
Bobs

Posted on Friday, Jun 10, 2005 - 7:29 am:

In humans,nitazoxanide is safe , but causes stomach upset and other intestinal symptoms. Give this medicine with food. If this is still a problem get an enteric coated, time released capsule made to take care of the side effects in the intestinal track.
New Member:
Oliver

Posted on Friday, Oct 7, 2005 - 7:53 pm:

My horse has EPM and he, too, relapsed after the first round of Marquis. He is on the last tube of the second round, and I share your anxiety about what comes next.

Someone told me about a new drug being used in Texas, called RAO or something like that. It is reported to be more effective than Marquis, with none of the side effects of Navigator. My vet has never mentioned it.

Has anyone else heard of it, and does anyone have experience with it?
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