Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)

 

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a master of disguise. This serious disease can be difficult to diagnose because its signs often mimic other health problems in the horse and signs can range from mild to severe. Symptoms of this disease include:

Loss of coordination, muscle atrophy, difficulty swallowing, sore back, stumbling, roaring, locking of the stifle joint. Weakness, drooping eyelids, head tilt. 

Causes of this disease:

The feces of an animal called an Opossum contains sporocysts and that is how they transmit the disease to horses. Horses with EPM cannot pass it onto other horses. 

How to prevent:

More than 50 percent of all horses in the United States may have been exposed to the organism that causes EPM. The causative organism is a protozoal parasite called Sarcocystis neurona. The disease is not transmitted from horse to horse. Rather, the protozoa are spread by the definitive host, the opossum, which acquires the organism from cats, raccoons, skunks and armadillos and possibly even from harbor seals and sea otters. The infective stage of the organism (the sporocysts) is passed in the opossum's feces. The horse comes into contact with the infective sporocysts while grazing or eating contaminated feed or drinking water.
Once ingested, the sporocysts migrate from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream and cross the blood/brain barrier. There they begin to attack the horse's central nervous system. The onset of the disease may be slow or sudden. If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurological damage. Keep your stables (or wherever your horse lives) clean and keep all horse feed stored and not left out. 

Here's what the American Opossum look like: They are a type of possum, but because these ones only live in America, they are called Opossums. With the 'O.' 

If your horse is suspected with a health issue, consult your vet straight away.  

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