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Health Zone: EPM Treatment, Testing Reviewed

EPM is the most common equine neurologic disease in North America.

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Wobbler Syndrome in Older Horses

The neurologic condition cervical vertebral stenotic myopathy (CVSM, commonly known as wobbler syndrome) is much less common in older horses than it is in young, growing animals. But according to one clinician, this condition should be on all veterinarians' differential diagnoses list when evaluating an aged horse presenting with neurologic signs and/...

Triaging Acute Equine Neurologic Emergencies

A horse owner's day can go from great to horrific in a matter of seconds if he or she arrives at the barn to find their charge either staggering around the field or completely unable to rise. A prompt call to the veterinarian is warranted in these scenarios, but what should an owner expect when the veterinarian arrives?

California Authorities Seek Six Horses for EIA Testing

Agricultural authorities in California are seeking six animals to receive follow-up testing in connection with a California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Animal Health Branch study of equine infectious anemia (EIA) infections in racing Quarter Horses.

EPM-Causing Organisms Widespread in U.S. Horses (AAEP 2012)

The neurologic disease equine protozoal myeloencephtalitis (EPM) is caused by two protozoal agents, Sarcocystis neurona and, less commonly, Neospora hughesi. While researchers have long understood S. neurona's life cycle and transmission, their understanding of N. hughesi is less concrete. To compare the two organisms, a research team from California ...

New Ponazuril Loading Dose Examined for EPM Treatment (AAEP 2012)

Veterinarians have been treating equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) with ponazuril (Marquis) since the Food and Drug Administration approved the antiprotozoal in 2001 but, as with any pharmaceutical approach to disease, fine-tuning an effective treatment protocol is always a work in progress. In laboratory studies scientists have shown ponazuril mus...

Understanding the OIE's Role in Disease Prevention

We often talk about the horse world in the national context, but at the global level the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) assists to protect our horses and the horse industry from infectious disease and to put regulations in place for safe trade and transport between countries.

2012 Equine WNV, EEE Case Totals Steady

Although they've increased since last update, the number of confirmed equine West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) cases has steadied, according to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) disease maps.

UK to Host 2013 Equine Showcase, Breeders' Short Course

University of Kentucky (UK) Ag Equine Programs will host a UK Equine Showcase Jan. 18 and the 4th Annual Kentucky Breeders' Short Course Jan. 19, both at the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 1490 Bull Lea Road, Lexington.

Wobbler Syndrome: An Increasingly Recognized Problem

Editor's Note: This article is part of TheHorse.com's ongoing coverage of topics presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association's 51st annual Congress, held Sept. 12-15 in Birmingham, U.K.

EPM: Update on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Editor's Note: This article is part of TheHorse.com's ongoing coverage of topics presented at the 9th International Conference on Equine Infectious Diseases, held Oct. 21-26 in Lexington, Ky.

Equine WNV, EEE Case Totals Continue to Rise

Although cooler temperatures have arrived in many parts of the country, the number of equine West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) cases still continues to rise.

Snakes Linked to Spread of Equine Encephalitis Virus

A horse, mosquito, and snake walked into a bar. The bartender looks up and says, "Is this some kind of joke?" Turns out, the bartender knows those three animals shouldn't be fraternizing because he read a recent article by Thomas Unnasch, PhD, proving snakes can harbor Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and could play an important role...

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis: Past and Present

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) continues to frustrate North American horse owners and veterinarians as one of the most common neurologic diseases in horses--and one of the most challenging to diagnose and treat. At the 2011 Western Veterinary Conference, held Feb. 20-24 in Las Vegas, Nev., Steve Reed, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, of Rood & Riddle Equin...