Horse with EPM - Advice?

[Cypress]

I work for a theraputic horseback riding facility and one of our therapy horses has been "clinically" diagnosed with EPM (no blood work has been done) - since we're a not for profit they are removing her from the program and have opted based on their vets recommendation not to treat her and try and find her a retirement home.

This horse happens to be my favorite and I had always planned to take her home with me when her retirement came. However I wasn't expecting this. We have made the decision to bring her to our farm so she can at least have access to pasture the majority of the day but we haven't decided what to do about the EPM yet.

I am wondering if anyone has any experiences or advice on this.

She is only 14 and at this point is unsafe to ride - she's fallen during a therapy session just at a walk - but for the most part functions normally. I have not problems with her living her life as a companion and pasture ornament - but I want to do what is in her best interest - if we can get her even a little better so she can give walking rides to kids or at the very least not degenerate further I want to do what we can.

Thoughts?

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[jlm179]

You need to treat her. EPM untreated can be fatal. I would ask to vet what medicine he recommends. Usually, Marquis is the drug of choice.

 

[Cypress]

That's what our vet has been talking about using - I know there are some new treatments out there just don't know anything about them.

Also wondering if anyone has treated EPM before and how it went, successful? See functional improvement?

I was actually reallly suprised the vet (at the facility) recommended not treating her

 

[Jamr0ckin]

I used to pet-sit an old Tennessee Walker that had EPM. He was treated when he contracted the disease and while he had bad days, he was a pretty good horse and got around pretty well. They didn't ride him anymore because of the inherent dangers, though.

 

[jlm179]

That's what our vet has been talking about using - I know there are some new treatments out there just don't know anything about them.

Also wondering if anyone has treated EPM before and how it went, successful? See functional improvement?

I was actually reallly suprised the vet (at the facility) recommended not treating her

Well unless she is to far gone and treatment will not help her. I think at a certain point it is no longer effective, but most of those horse are extremely neurological. Although you did say she has fallen at the walk, so I am guessing she is pretty bad.

I would ask the vets why they are not recommending treatment...

If you catch it early enough, horse can usually go back to what they were doing before or so I have heard.

 

[dyachei]

Asking for medical advice is against the ToS of SDN. Closing thread.