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Re: [RC] [RC] Update on stumbling horse - EPM - Elizabeth ChaseI just rescued a level III eventer who was blood-test diagnosed from two labs to be positive for EPM.... and the poor horse had never been exposed to an environment conducive to possum-poo collection. They never did the spinal fluid assay, but collected their 50,000 for the horse, and dumped him several states away from his home. He did arrive at the rescue with very sore knees and hocks, and muscle issues along his topline... but overdeveloped chest, abdomen, and hindquarter muscles. We already knew that he was shown or trained or traveled with no time for layoff for about 10 years. No turnout.... only therapeutic pools, sports massage, and the treadmill. Anyway, he does not have EPM in the long run, and I have a wonderful 500.00 horse. It will be some time before his physical and emotional rehab to show progress, but it is a fun journey. Hope you find another issue that EPM.... and better yet.... may it be something that is really easy to mend. Hugs, Liz Minnesota --- Dawn Carrie <rdcarrie@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: Carla, A positive blood test means ONLY that your horse has been exposed to the EPM organism...NOT that he has EPM!!! In some parts of the country (espcially the SE), up to 60-70% of horses will show a positive blood test. I urge you to get some additional opinions, and if you still feel that your horse may have EPM, consult with a veterinarian who has experience with EPM horses, and have a complete exam done...where they put the horse through a battery of physical tests to test his physical responses. I would not even rely on what some consider the "definitive" test, the spinal tap. It is VERY difficult to get a sample that is not contaminated with blood...and even a microscopic amount of blood will produce a positive test result in a horse with a postive blood test as yours has. I've seen recent info from UC Davis that suggest that they are even doubting the validity of a good spinal tap as a diagnostic tool. Here's an example...my gelding Bear was returned to the seller by his first buyer, because she thought he was uncoordinated and became convinced he had EPM (he *was* uncoordinated...green, spooky, didn't know how to balance with a rider on trail, crossing creeks, etc. LOL). She had a spinal tap done, it came back a "weak positive" and was so contaminated with blood it was actually bloody. Well, I knew there was nothing wrong with the horse and bought him, and 570 endurance miles later (including one 100 miler), Bear is doing just fine. We joke that "who needs expensive drugs to cure EPM, just ride it out of 'em!" LOL Good luck with your boy...and please keep us posted. Dawn Carrie, Texas and Little Bear TC (nuthin' wrong with me, except that Mom won't let me go fast!) On 9/12/06, Sky Ranch <skyranch@xxxxxxxx> wrote:Well, I just got the news from my veterinarian - my horse's blood test came back positive for EPM. This is such a surprise to me, and I'm so glad I had him tested. Even the vet had decided that he probably didn't have EPM, but I asked him to test for it anyway. Glad I did. Apparently the meds for it are extremely expensive, about $800 to $900 a month. This is not something I counted on, and it's frightening. I was so *sure* he wouldn't have EPM, because we don't have possums in this part of Colorado. But my vet told me that he has seen EPM in other horses, (my vet's in northern New Mexico). Apparently skunks may also be implicated in spreading this -- oddly enough, I've only been feeding hay to my horses. So, it's a mystery to me how he got it, but now I have tofigureout how to pay for his treatment. It's not going to be easy, but there'snochoice, it is a treatable condition and the sooner we start his meds the better. Carla Richardson Colorado __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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