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  Discussion on EPM Death in Friends Horse...Next Steps for My Horse?
Author Message
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, Oct 30, 2009 - 7:36 am:

DrO,

I may be over reacting a bit, but yesterday I received the sad news that a dear friend lost her horse to EPM. Armani (a TB, trained 4th level dressage) had shown vague lameness symptoms over the past several weeks. My friend checked saddle fit, had the vet and chiro out to check him, gave him time off. Finally, this week, his symptoms escalated to the point that the vet recommend he be taken to Michigan State. Did all the rule outs, spinal tap and I believe an MRI. Unfortunately, Armani became very weak, could not stand and I heard last night that my friend was on her way back to MSU to see him one last time before he was euthanized. MSU diagnosed EPM.

I am saddened that my friend lost this lovely sweet horse. When I spoke to her yesterday morning, she was too emotionally devastated to talk much.

Here's where I get concerned for my own horse. In early September, this same friend showed my mare. For the week prior to the show, we moved Sparkles to my friend's barn. Sparkles did not share a pasture with Armani, however, she decided she liked that barn's hay better than the hay I brought, and although directed otherwise, the BO feed Sparkles their hay. Of course we don't know how Armani may have picked up EPM - feed or water? But for that week, Sparkles would have been exposed to everything he was.

So, now I am deeply concerned about the potential threat to my own horse. I've read the articles and understand there are no definitive tests to diagnose and that she has likely been exposed and will show positive, but not neccessarily have the actual disease. I also understand that if a horse DOES have EPM, the sooner treated, the better the prognosis, but treatment is not without risk.

Sparkles seems to be her usual healthy self, but now I am going back in my head and thinking about every time she tripped in the last 6 weeks.

DrO, is there any value in having my vet out to do a full physical on my horse, checking for anything neurological? Based on what I read in the article, there is really nothing I can do to put my mind at rest, except wait and observe. Is that correct?
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Oct 30, 2009 - 8:38 am:

Fran what a terrible experience for your friend, I have found possums in my hay and have many living around here.

The one thing I decided I would do if I suspected EPM is the blood test. I know it will show exposure, BUT if it is negative it does at least rule it out. I think most people treat symptoms, as it is hard to get a concrete diagnosis. Even the spinal tap can be ifffy from what I have read. It seems to be such a sinister disease tho and can present differently in horses.

I hope Sparkles is OK. EPM doesn't seem to effect "whole" herds. One gets it and the rest don't, if that's any constellation
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 30, 2009 - 8:38 am:

A couple of facts should help put your mind to rest Fran. First experimental infection suggests clinical signs follow exposure fairly quickly and it appears to have been over a month since your horse was at Armani's place. Second one of your statements is not true, you say they did not share a pasture and pasture is likely where Armani was exposed so it is unlikely they would contract this through a common exposure.

If your horse does not have symptoms of neurological disease I do not think a veterinary exam is well indicated. The one thing that occurs to me is that every horse given a neuro exam is likely to have some variations from normal, perhaps an exam now will help establish a norm for your horse and small changes easier to see. But this also strikes me as a bit of overkill myself.
DrO
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, Oct 30, 2009 - 10:36 am:

DrO, thanks so much for the reassurance. You are correct on both fronts - it was more than 6 weeks ago that my mare was at the other barn and the two horses never share a pasture while she was there. So I will take comfort in that and rest somewhat at ease.

Latest news from MSU is that Armani had stage 4 EPM. Not sure what that exactly means, but I do know I have a good friend that is in need of comforting.
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