Sunday, March 22, 2015

EPM

EPM is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, a nasty type of parasite that can travel to the brain and central nervous system, rather like the Toxoplasmosis which is the reason doctors advise pregnant women not to clean the litter box.  It is spread by raccoon and possum poo, in the hay barn and in the pastures.  Many horses are exposed, but the immune system often fights is off.  This is what my vet thinks that Pipsy has.  Symptoms are ataxia, he looks like he is drunk.  I saw this once years ago in another horse that I had, he recovered and lived to be a ripe old 45!  There is treatment, unfortunately very expensive.  Bloodwork should be back the middle of the week.  This picture is from last summer.  He is being treated and hopefully will improve...  Melinda


12 comments:

  1. Good luck to your beautiful horse Melinda.Hugs Francine.

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  2. I hope Pipsy gets better. So scary for you! :(

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  3. Hugs to you, Melinda. I hope Pipsy can get well soon.
    Lauren

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  4. Good luck with treatment and may Pipsy live to 45 also, that is a feat for any horse.

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  5. I surely hope he will be better. I have heard that in the yard, one should avoid racoon poo at all costs,very dangerous stuff. We had to take down the bird feeder on the deck as the racoons were making it a nightly visit. For awhile we took the feeders in at night but now that the weather is so much milder, we just took them down.

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  6. I too hope that Pipsy recovers, the best of luck to both of you. Such a terrible thing, it makes no sense.

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  7. Hope the treatment is successful and Pipsy will recover fully. Please keep us posted on progress. Saw your first release in Attic's newsletter - how exciting!!

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  8. Our donkey started with the symptoms a month ago. The vet was sure right away that is what he has...blood test off to Cornell, and it has come back NEGATIVE....we are back to square one. Hope yours comes out better! Have never had an animal with it in 55 years of owning horses, but coons and possums are all over around here.....

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  9. Melinda I hope Pipsy recovers from whatever it is soon. It is bad enough when a human is sick but for an animal who can't talk it makes the parent quite upset and helpless. Saying a prayer for you and your pets all.

    Saundra

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  10. Hoping for a full recovery for your Pipsy...what a beauty.
    Robyn

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  11. Melinda, I hope for a good outcome for Pipsy. Surely not an easy situation for you, or the beauty:(

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  12. Oh Melinda, I hope Pipsy can recover from this. I'll keep him in my prayers. Take care. Big hugs, Lori

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