Comments on: EPM http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/ The Complete Source for All Things Horse Thu, 24 May 2012 14:47:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: jim http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-31767 jim Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:58:22 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-31767 another option that i hear gets good results: drench a full tube of marquis with a ounce or two of dmso every other day until you get 4 tubes in the horse. good luck another option that i hear gets good results: drench a full tube of marquis with a ounce or two of dmso every other day until you get 4 tubes in the horse. good luck

]]> By: Abbi http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-26978 Abbi Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:37:50 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-26978 I aquired a 16 year old TB who had had EPM and was still on her meds. She is doing just fine. Three months later my arab mare, who I have owned since her birth, began showing signs (uncoordinated, dragging hind legs, confused). The vet said I did a good job catching it so early. My TB was on Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine (not sure what her initial treatment was), and I am starting my Arab on Marquis this week. My vet had me give her banamine for a week and she got remarkably better. Good thing about being diagnosed with EPM- very treatable, and it's not Rabies. I aquired a 16 year old TB who had had EPM and was still on her meds. She is doing just fine. Three months later my arab mare, who I have owned since her birth, began showing signs (uncoordinated, dragging hind legs, confused). The vet said I did a good job catching it so early. My TB was on Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine (not sure what her initial treatment was), and I am starting my Arab on Marquis this week. My vet had me give her banamine for a week and she got remarkably better. Good thing about being diagnosed with EPM- very treatable, and it’s not Rabies.

]]> By: dawn marshall http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-22791 dawn marshall Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:14:08 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-22791 My daughter has an 18 year old horse that was diagnosed 4 months ago with epm. The vet put him on a mediation that I do not know the name of it, we just have to give him a dose in his mouth every day for four months at $150/month! He seems almost fully recovered though, from that and a lot of theraputic exercise. Does the vitamin e really help? My daughter has an 18 year old horse that was diagnosed 4 months ago with epm. The vet put him on a mediation that I do not know the name of it, we just have to give him a dose in his mouth every day for four months at $150/month! He seems almost fully recovered though, from that and a lot of theraputic exercise.

Does the vitamin e really help?

]]> By: Cindy http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-21189 Cindy Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:38:17 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-21189 Hello Folks, My 4 year old gelding has been treated for EPM. His story goes like this, since I bought him at a week old he would have intermittent low grade fevers lasting a day approx. 2 - 3 times a year. It was always the same, blood work came back fine and diagnosed as fever with unknown origin. He is a real character. Very playful with those horse balls they sell (never saw a horse actually play with those until him). I had him gelded at 3 yrs. old because I felt guilty and wanted to be fair to him. He had a fever the next day which is assumed to be a reaction to the 4 way vaccine. I sent him to the trainer and he was there for one month when the trainer called me and said that he left crumbs in his feed bucket and was standing in a different spot in the pasture and pawed twice. I immediately thought, he has a fever. He did, 104.3. I couldn't believe it was so high, he was treated. I checked him in the A.M. He was acting perfectly normal. His temp. was 105.6. Contacted the vet and while waiting for her arrival I treated and rinsed to cool him down. I noticed his eyes were jaundice. His blood work showed his bilirubin was slightly elevated and he was tested for pirosplasmosis. Thank goodness he was neg. I was very concerned and took him to a hospital in Ocala, FL for further eval. I had insurance on him so that was very helpful. Same thing, fever of unknown origin. Took him home for 1 month. During his time home I noticed he didn't play anymore, thought it was my baby growing up. He went back to the trainer for 2 more months and then came home. I was so excited to finally start riding my baby. We were doing well, however I started to notice after I would work him he would slip in the back once or twice frequently. In October of 2010 while feeding I noticed his face looked extremely different. Both masseters had atrophied. It was so sudden!! I pay very close attention to my horses and notice every little detail. The vet came out and did a neuro exam on him. He was slightly weaker to the Left. There are only two reasons for masseter atrophy, neurological and eye problems. She suspected EPM, however he was an odd case and hard to figure. Bl. work done and he was positive for EPM in the serum. She wanted to do a spinal tap to be certain, however I couldn't afford it. I decided to go ahead and treat him because this was the closest diagnosis yet. Several tests were run on him, however the fevers were throwing the vets off. Could not renew insurance ref. financial strains, 3 months later the nightmare began. Obviously, I had to go with the cheaper compounded medication. He was on that from Jan. - March 2011. Nothing much to report other than the vet coming to reassess him and blood work. She contacted me to tell me he was anemic. Possible side effect from the medication or the possibility that there is a underlying cause. The medicine was stopped and he kept declining, 3 points away from a blood transfusion. He then gradually started to elevate on his own once the medication was out of his system. We had to end up doing a spinal tap anyhow to determine if we were really dealing with EPM. It was Positive with a moderate response, 30. We then continued treatment with the Marquis. It was great. He regained all the muscle in his face, I could not believe it!! At the beginning his head looked like that of an anorexic horse but his body was that of a very healthy, very built horse. This is not the typical signs of EPM. Although what is typical? There are so many variations to this disease that it is frustrating for the vets and owners. He finished treatment in May. He was doing GREAT!! Started playing again!! I started riding, just walking around for approx. 15 - 20 min., no more slipping in the back. That was for 1 month. Then I noticed he was dragging his hind legs, knuckling over, and having trouble turning in a small circle to the right. He would basically freeze up and start backing like he just couldn't get his body to go that way. Vet is out again, I was afraid of a relapse. His neuro exam was fairly unremarkable when she came out, however he was having obvious Right hind pain, possibly in the hip. I was confused because some days he is worse than others. He ended up having an abcess on the right hind coronet band and once that ruptured he was doing a little better for a few days. I wasn't convinced that was the whole story. I called the vet back to do another neuro exam and this time she witnessed the knuckling over and the right sided problems. I also noticed that his masseters were starting to atrophy slightly. He started the Marquis this week. I am going to treat him for 2 months this time. I wish I would know if this is a relapse, re-exposure, or if he wasn't treated long enough the first time. Unfortunately, this is my last attempt at treating him do to finances. It has been so expensive and has affected me being able to properly vaccinate and keep up with other maintenance on my other horses (teeth, worming, etc....). I am very thankful to my vet because if she didn't help me (payments), I wouldn't have been able to treat him with this expensive medication. I couldn't give up on him yet. I wish I never had to. I hope this treatment works. I hate the thought of me having to let my baby deteriorate until it's time to euthanize.I realize it might be years, however it is the unknown. MY POOR BOY, I LOVE HIM SOOOOOO VERY MUCH!!!! I hate opossums!!!!!!!!!!! I believe I would rather my horse be struck by lightening than go through this. I wish all of you the best of luck with your babies. I am so sorry this is so lengthy, but this is not the usual case and if it helps any of you that would be worth it. Take Care, Cindy Hello Folks,
My 4 year old gelding has been treated for EPM. His story goes like this, since I bought him at a week old he would have intermittent low grade fevers lasting a day approx. 2 – 3 times a year. It was always the same, blood work came back fine and diagnosed as fever with unknown origin. He is a real character. Very playful with those horse balls they sell (never saw a horse actually play with those until him). I had him gelded at 3 yrs. old because I felt guilty and wanted to be fair to him. He had a fever the next day which is assumed to be a reaction to the 4 way vaccine. I sent him to the trainer and he was there for one month when the trainer called me and said that he left crumbs in his feed bucket and was standing in a different spot in the pasture and pawed twice. I immediately thought, he has a fever. He did, 104.3. I couldn’t believe it was so high, he was treated. I checked him in the A.M. He was acting perfectly normal. His temp. was 105.6. Contacted the vet and while waiting for her arrival I treated and rinsed to cool him down. I noticed his eyes were jaundice. His blood work showed his bilirubin was slightly elevated and he was tested for pirosplasmosis. Thank goodness he was neg. I was very concerned and took him to a hospital in Ocala, FL for further eval. I had insurance on him so that was very helpful. Same thing, fever of unknown origin. Took him home for 1 month. During his time home I noticed he didn’t play anymore, thought it was my baby growing up. He went back to the trainer for 2 more months and then came home. I was so excited to finally start riding my baby. We were doing well, however I started to notice after I would work him he would slip in the back once or twice frequently. In October of 2010 while feeding I noticed his face looked extremely different. Both masseters had atrophied. It was so sudden!! I pay very close attention to my horses and notice every little detail. The vet came out and did a neuro exam on him. He was slightly weaker to the Left. There are only two reasons for masseter atrophy, neurological and eye problems. She suspected EPM, however he was an odd case and hard to figure. Bl. work done and he was positive for EPM in the serum. She wanted to do a spinal tap to be certain, however I couldn’t afford it. I decided to go ahead and treat him because this was the closest diagnosis yet. Several tests were run on him, however the fevers were throwing the vets off. Could not renew insurance ref. financial strains, 3 months later the nightmare began. Obviously, I had to go with the cheaper compounded medication. He was on that from Jan. – March 2011. Nothing much to report other than the vet coming to reassess him and blood work. She contacted me to tell me he was anemic. Possible side effect from the medication or the possibility that there is a underlying cause. The medicine was stopped and he kept declining, 3 points away from a blood transfusion. He then gradually started to elevate on his own once the medication was out of his system. We had to end up doing a spinal tap anyhow to determine if we were really dealing with EPM. It was Positive with a moderate response, 30. We then continued treatment with the Marquis. It was great. He regained all the muscle in his face, I could not believe it!! At the beginning his head looked like that of an anorexic horse but his body was that of a very healthy, very built horse. This is not the typical signs of EPM. Although what is typical? There are so many variations to this disease that it is frustrating for the vets and owners. He finished treatment in May. He was doing GREAT!! Started playing again!! I started riding, just walking around for approx. 15 – 20 min., no more slipping in the back. That was for 1 month. Then I noticed he was dragging his hind legs, knuckling over, and having trouble turning in a small circle to the right. He would basically freeze up and start backing like he just couldn’t get his body to go that way. Vet is out again, I was afraid of a relapse. His neuro exam was fairly unremarkable when she came out, however he was having obvious Right hind pain, possibly in the hip. I was confused because some days he is worse than others. He ended up having an abcess on the right hind coronet band and once that ruptured he was doing a little better for a few days. I wasn’t convinced that was the whole story. I called the vet back to do another neuro exam and this time she witnessed the knuckling over and the right sided problems. I also noticed that his masseters were starting to atrophy slightly. He started the Marquis this week. I am going to treat him for 2 months this time. I wish I would know if this is a relapse, re-exposure, or if he wasn’t treated long enough the first time. Unfortunately, this is my last attempt at treating him do to finances. It has been so expensive and has affected me being able to properly vaccinate and keep up with other maintenance on my other horses (teeth, worming, etc….). I am very thankful to my vet because if she didn’t help me (payments), I wouldn’t have been able to treat him with this expensive medication. I couldn’t give up on him yet. I wish I never had to. I hope this treatment works. I hate the thought of me having to let my baby deteriorate until it’s time to euthanize.I realize it might be years, however it is the unknown. MY POOR BOY, I LOVE HIM SOOOOOO VERY MUCH!!!! I hate opossums!!!!!!!!!!! I believe I would rather my horse be struck by lightening than go through this.
I wish all of you the best of luck with your babies. I am so sorry this is so lengthy, but this is not the usual case and if it helps any of you that would be worth it.
Take Care,
Cindy

]]> By: Kathy Schmidt http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-19252 Kathy Schmidt Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:09:19 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-19252 Someone tell me the Marquis will work. 4 Vets and 2 yrs later, I. Had to ask for the EPM blood test. She is my "Dreams Come True" . Does anyone know, do I do any physical theropy or anything while on the meds and vitiman E? Is there something else I should be doing? She is my HEART, I don't care if I never ride her again, I just want her to be ok.. we are on day 9 of the Marquis, how do I know if I need another round of treatment after the 1st 28 days? There are so many varibles. Would like to hear from someone with experience using this medication. Sending Prayers to all that need them, Kathy <3 Someone tell me the Marquis will work. 4 Vets and 2 yrs later, I. Had to ask for the EPM blood test. She is my “Dreams Come True” . Does anyone know, do I do any physical theropy or anything while on the meds and vitiman E? Is there something else I should be doing? She is my HEART, I don’t care if I never ride her again, I just want her to be ok.. we are on day 9 of the Marquis, how do I know if I need another round of treatment after the 1st 28 days? There are so many varibles. Would like to hear from someone with experience using this medication. Sending Prayers to all that need them, Kathy <3

]]> By: Stassi Pyne http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-12173 Stassi Pyne Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:00:26 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-12173 Hi, I have a question, how long till you know if ya horse is recovering and you can start back to ride a horse that has EPM?What kind of exercises do you do with them? I have been given a NICE 2yr old that was diagnosed and treated for EPM last summer 2010 and he is at the trainers now. He rides not too bad but is off a little. Will he ever fully recover? Is it possible he could make a barrel horse someday? He is a super nice bred colt, as the stud fee for him was $5000 alone. Should I get him and treat him with Marquis, and just take it slow with him for a year and see if he recovers fully, or not waste and time or money on him? Any info and knowledge would be great! Thanks Stassi Hi, I have a question, how long till you know if ya horse is recovering and you can start back to ride a horse that has EPM?What kind of exercises do you do with them? I have been given a NICE 2yr old that was diagnosed and treated for EPM last summer 2010 and he is at the trainers now. He rides not too bad but is off a little. Will he ever fully recover? Is it possible he could make a barrel horse someday? He is a super nice bred colt, as the stud fee for him was $5000 alone. Should I get him and treat him with Marquis, and just take it slow with him for a year and see if he recovers fully, or not waste and time or money on him? Any info and knowledge would be great! Thanks Stassi

]]> By: Kris http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-11917 Kris Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:43:46 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-11917 My 22 going on 23 year old SSH/Arab was just diagnosed Thursday evening with EPM (via the IFAT UC Davis test). I ordered the Marquis through Allivet (the cheapest I could find at $739 for 4 tubes and free shipping), I did see it as expensive as $1100, but look around prices vary widely :) It came today and I am starting treatment this afternoon. Vet is also having him get 2x dose liquid vitamin E and Duralactin, along with his normal cocosoya, selenium and senior hoof/joint supplements. My 22 going on 23 year old SSH/Arab was just diagnosed Thursday evening with EPM (via the IFAT UC Davis test).

I ordered the Marquis through Allivet (the cheapest I could find at $739 for 4 tubes and free shipping), I did see it as expensive as $1100, but look around prices vary widely :) It came today and I am starting treatment this afternoon. Vet is also having him get 2x dose liquid vitamin E and Duralactin, along with his normal cocosoya, selenium and senior hoof/joint supplements.

]]> By: Beezee http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-10652 Beezee Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:32:59 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-10652 You can find Marquis at Smartpak... for the 28 days it is $759.95. It is expensive, but it isn't $1200 a month as others have stated. You can find Marquis at Smartpak… for the 28 days it is $759.95. It is expensive, but it isn’t $1200 a month as others have stated.

]]> By: cAROLYN http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-10515 cAROLYN Tue, 28 Dec 2010 03:54:00 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-10515 My 10y/old thoroughbred Lily had some health issues in the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010.Tested negative for EPM and herpes as well as lime disease. Had some muscle loss and lip drooping. Had a basketball size hematoma right hind. Two vets saw her and did not recommend Marquis or anything else for epm. Did give her 2 rounds of SMZ's and then 5 days of IV gentamycin. She got better but never well. Then started showing increased neurological signs in hind. Started her on a medicine for epm that is from a compound pharmacy and prescribed by me vet. Have given it almost a week. Wonder when I should notice improvement. Anyone have any advice? Thanks Carolyn My 10y/old thoroughbred Lily had some health issues in the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010.Tested negative for EPM and herpes as well as lime disease. Had some muscle loss and lip drooping. Had a basketball size hematoma right hind. Two vets saw her and did not recommend Marquis or anything else for epm. Did give her 2 rounds of SMZ’s and then 5 days of IV gentamycin. She got better but never well. Then started showing increased neurological signs in hind. Started her on a medicine for epm that is from a compound pharmacy and prescribed by me vet. Have given it almost a week. Wonder when I should notice improvement. Anyone have any advice?

Thanks
Carolyn

]]> By: Emily http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-8824 Emily Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:35:51 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-8824 I have just started treating my 18 year old Standardbred mare with Marquis 9 days ago. After the second dose, she had a gas colic. Then after the fourth dose, she had another gas colic. It seems like she has been slightly uncomfortable ever since the colics. Has anyone else noticed gas or colic while their horse was being treated on Marquis? She has only been on a half dose since the 2 colics, but the vets want me to start increasing her again to her appropriate dose, but I am terrified to do so. I just can't take another colic. She is also getting 10,000 IU Vit E, probiotics, and SmartPack Succeed to help boost her immune system, but I am about ready to quit this Marquis because I'm so scared on another colic. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks, Emily I have just started treating my 18 year old Standardbred mare with Marquis 9 days ago. After the second dose, she had a gas colic. Then after the fourth dose, she had another gas colic. It seems like she has been slightly uncomfortable ever since the colics. Has anyone else noticed gas or colic while their horse was being treated on Marquis?

She has only been on a half dose since the 2 colics, but the vets want me to start increasing her again to her appropriate dose, but I am terrified to do so. I just can’t take another colic.

She is also getting 10,000 IU Vit E, probiotics, and SmartPack Succeed to help boost her immune system, but I am about ready to quit this Marquis because I’m so scared on another colic.

Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks,
Emily

]]> By: Patricia Guthrie http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-8517 Patricia Guthrie Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:29 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-8517 Smokey was diagnosed with EPM and went through two months of treatment with Marquis. He came out of it fine. he developed thrush in his front feet--I've treated him for that and it doesn't appear he has any left. But, yesterday he came out of his stall dead lame. Mostly in his left front foot, but intermittently in his right as well. My question. Could this be a reoccurance of EPM appearing in the front? It doesn't appear to have the same reaction. His first symptoms was the common dragging of his hind feet. We caught it the first day he had the symptoms. I have a horrifying thought it might be Navicular--but I thought I'd get the EPM thought out of my head. the farrier is coming today to check on the thrush situation--possibly in a place I can't see (or smell). The vet will be out with her X-ray machine. I'd just like to know if any of you have had a similar situation. Thank you Pat Smokey was diagnosed with EPM and went through two months of treatment with Marquis. He came out of it fine.

he developed thrush in his front feet–I’ve treated him for that and it doesn’t appear he has any left. But, yesterday he came out of his stall dead lame. Mostly in his left front foot, but intermittently in his right as well.

My question. Could this be a reoccurance of EPM appearing in the front? It doesn’t appear to have the same reaction. His first symptoms was the common dragging of his hind feet. We caught it
the first day he had the symptoms.

I have a horrifying thought it might be Navicular–but I thought I’d get the EPM thought out of my head.

the farrier is coming today to check on the thrush situation–possibly in a place I can’t see (or smell). The vet will be out with her X-ray machine.

I’d just like to know if any of you have had a similar situation.

Thank you

Pat

]]> By: Priscilla http://americashorsedaily.com/epm/comment-page-1/#comment-7244 Priscilla Sat, 26 Jun 2010 03:34:41 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=6182#comment-7244 My 36 year old mare was diagnosed with EPM last week after becoming uncoordinated, stumbling and leaning to one side. She is in great shape otherwise. I started Marquis and 8,000 IU Vitamin E daily about 7 days ago. Three days into the treatment she suddenly became agressive and almost ran me down - not her usual sweet disposition. The next day she was back to her normal behavior...not sure what that was all about. I'm not sure if I'm seeing any change in her movement or not at this point. The medication sure is expensive. Can't imagine having to pay this cost for 6 months, but she is my "baby" and I just can't NOT help her. Anyone else notice any behavioral changes during early treatment? Do the herbs really work? My 36 year old mare was diagnosed with EPM last week after becoming uncoordinated, stumbling and leaning to one side. She is in great shape otherwise. I started Marquis and 8,000 IU Vitamin E daily about 7 days ago. Three days into the treatment she suddenly became agressive and almost ran me down – not her usual sweet disposition. The next day she was back to her normal behavior…not sure what that was all about. I’m not sure if I’m seeing any change in her movement or not at this point. The medication sure is expensive. Can’t imagine having to pay this cost for 6 months, but she is my “baby” and I just can’t NOT help her. Anyone else notice any behavioral changes during early treatment? Do the herbs really work?

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