LotusBeachFarm
Just born
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2010
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I recently had a 16 month old APHA filly show severe neurological and high fever symptoms. One day she was perfect, and then I walked out to find her laying on her haypile. The vets were concerned for EEE, there have been a few cases inmy area (south FL)... and one my vet had elsewhere that same day... Equine Herpes, West Nile, and possibly EPM. I have alot of experience with EPM cases, and while the neuroligical was symptomatic for that, the rapid onset, constant laying down, loss of 120 lbs in 4 days & 104 fever are not. I dont know much about EEE or herpes, but we tested anyway. Unfortunately it was a holiday weekend, and while those were run here, the EPM had to be sent out, and was going to take nearly a week. I recieved the results on everything but EPM... all negative, and I was not suprised because she has been vaccinated for everything. However, she was still rapidly declining, and i was getting desperate, preparing myself for the loss of this filly that I have only owned for less than 2 months. On a fateful chance, the third day, my vet located someone with a spare open tube of Marquis, and I gave it a try... I didnt know what else to do, and the test was still three days away from being done. By the time I recieved the positive results, my filly had and 75% turn around after starting THE MEDS FOR ONLY 3 DAYS! She is an extremely odd case, not presenting normally, and reacting 2-3X as quickly as any others I have encountered with EPM. Two weeks later she has turned around 110%. She looks and feels better than ever. On a whim, I tested the other horse I purchased from the same farm, at the same time. They are half siblings, but he is a 3 year old draft cross paint, same father, both born and raised on the property. He too tested positive. Some of his manerisms had me concerned, but it was attributed to lack of work. I started him on the meds as well... this is expensive, but my gut said to do it, and I know that I am rarely wrong in this. His symptoms also began to turn around in 4 days. I have spoken to the vet, it should not happen so quickly, but I am a horse person, I know my animals, and it did just that. I am posting this for two reasons. 1) This abnormal presentation had there not been a vet working as hard as mine was, reaching out to other vets and universities, and doing all she could immediately... is the only reason I still have my mare. If one or two people happent to read this and help their own or another's horse, then it has done its purpose. 2) I am not trying to slander anyone, but I do feel confident that these two had EPM in their systems before I bought them. While it is not the end of the world, I am luckily in a position that while it is not easy to afford, it is possible. That being said, that is an additional $3500 +++ in testing and medicines to what I had to spend to buy them.... I want to advise anyone that has purchased from BHR in Florida, that if you're horse has any ataxia, muscle tone loss in the hind end, uncoordination, etc. save your time and money and test for EPM. There is no way that I bought the only two cases to ever come out of there. I do have another mare that is in perfect health, no problems with EPM that has been on the property for a long time, so if it was here, she would have it, not them. I am not blaming the farm, I love them both for their exceptional disposition, but It is fair to let others know what else my be coming along with it.