What Causes Protozoa In Horses?

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is caused by the protozoal parasites Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi, although most cases are due to S. neurona. The definitive host for S. neurona is the opossum, and horses become infected when they ingest feed or water contaminated with opossum feces.

What are the first signs of EPM in horses?

Owners frequently notice obscure lameness, stumbling and incoordination. If the brain stem is involved, usually a head tilt is present. Clinical signs may include: Ataxia (incoordination) and weakness: Generally centered in the rear limbs, symptoms worsen when the head is elevated, or the horse moves up or down slopes.

How do you treat protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses?

There are two treatment options for EPM.

1. A six-month course of antibiotic (trimethoprim-sulfonamide) and antiprotozoal agent (pyrimethamine).
2. 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.

Is EPM in horses treatable?

If EPM is suspected, treatment should be started right away to improve the chance of recovery. If left untreated, EPM can result in permanent damage to the central nervous system and possibly death. There are currently three FDA-approved conventional treatments for EPM.

How common is EPM in horses?

EPM causes clinical disease in approximately one percent of exposed horses. Almost every part of the country has reported cases of EPM. However, the incidence of disease is much lower in the western United States, especially in regions with small opossum populations.

Does Vitamin E help with EPM?

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 recover from EPM?

The chances of a successful recovery are greatly dependent on the amount of nerve damage sustained by the horse, which itself is dependent on how quickly the horse is diagnosed and how soon treatment commences.

What are three symptoms of parasite infestation in horses?

The signs of parasitism are common among different parasites infecting the horse and include:

• Weight loss.
• Dull, rough hair coat.
• Potbelly.
• Decreased stamina or lethargy.
• Coughing.
• Diarrhea.
• Colic.
• Tail rubbing.

How do you control parasites in horses?

Clean stalls on a regular basis and compost manure. Feed horses grain and hay from some type of rack or trough. This includes pastured horses. Avoid overstocking pasture(s) as this prevents overgrazing and reduces risk of exposure to infective parasite larva and eggs.

Does ivermectin treat EPM?

Treatment schedule
If he does not have a history of de-worming within the past four months, my recommendation is to begin with a dose of Ivermectin. Because Ivermectin causes a slow kill, it will prevent a worm impaction if the horse has a large number of worms.

Can horses get EPM from water?

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurologic disease in horses caused by infection with the protozoan Sarcocystis neurona (SN). SN infects horses when they ingest the organism in contaminated feed or water.

What should I feed my horse with EPM?

Dietary and Management Recommendations
Low starch, high fiber and added fat are recommended since there is an increased incidence of digestive disturbances (diarrhea) as a side effect of treatment. Folic acid and vitamin E have been found to aid in nerve healing and should be included in the daily regimen.

What drugs are used to treat EPM?

How is EPM treated? Treatment to control infection should include an FDA-approved anticoccidial drug (Ponazuril, Diclazuril, Sulfadiazine/Pyrimethamine). Additional treatments should be provided as needed based on the severity of the clinical signs and any associated complications.

Is there a vaccine for EPM?

“Because there is no cure for EPM, disease prevention plays a prominent role in protecting horses,” said Laura Petroski, B.V.M.S., a veterinarian for Kentucky Equine Research (KER). “To help protect horses against EPM caused by S. neurona, a vaccine was developed and conditionally licensed.

Is EPM painful for horses?

Pain caused by EPM lesions may also cause a horse to become grouchy. Change in personality is more closely associated with Lyme disease, and Lyme can present with similar symptoms as EPM. In mares, ovarian dysfunction and bladder infections can cause aggressive behavior.

How is EPM diagnosed?

EPM is a neurological disease of the Americas. It is most commonly caused by the parasite Sarcocystis neurona and more rarely by Neospora hughesi. The standard of practice for diagnosis is to perform a complete neurological exam, accompanied by laboratory tests that detect an immunological response to infection.

What is the best source of vitamin E for horses?

Because it is fat-soluble, vitamin E must be consumed with dietary fat in order to be properly absorbed in the body. Sources of vitamin E include fresh pasture, good-quality hay, and fortified concentrates.

Is there a vaccine to prevent EPM?

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.

What happens if a horse has too much vitamin E?

The NRC has set the upper safe diet concentration at 20 IU/kg BW based on biopotency of synthetic vitamin E (10,000 IU/500 kg horse). Above this level, coagulopathy and impaired bone mineralization have been reported.

How do you test a horse for EPM?

The blood test detects antibodies to S. neurona. A negative blood test can virtually rule out EPM, missing only those horses who have so recently (one to two weeks) been exposed to the protozoa that they have not yet produced specific antibodies.

What animals can spread EPM?

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM, is caused by Sarcocystis neurona protozoa. Carried by opossums and shed in their feces, S. neurona is frequently spread to raccoons and skunks when these animals consume opossum droppings.