PROTAZIL quickly reaches therapeutic levels – within 12 hours – without the need for a loading dose at the start of treatment*. If you are concerned about EPM or think your horse might be showing neurological signs, call your veterinarian immediately.
What is the treatment for EPM in horses?
There are two treatment options for EPM. A six-month course of antibiotic (trimethoprim-sulfonamide) and antiprotozoal agent (pyrimethamine) A 28-day course of antiprotozoal (ponazuril). Horses may need a second round of ponazuril in some cases.
What is ReBalance for horses?
ReBalance is an FDA-approved, safe and
effective treatment
for horses with
equine protozoal myeloencephalitis
(EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona The active ingredients (Sulfadiazine 250mg/ml and pyrimethamine 12.5mg/ml) inhibit folic acid synthesis at two different sites, in the same synthetic pathway.
What is horse Ponazuril?
Ponazuril (brand names: Toltrazuril sulfone®, Marquis®, Ponalrestat®) is an antiprotozoal medication used to treat equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona It may also be used to treat other protozoal parasites such as Toxoplasma spp, coccidia, and Neospora caninum.
What is diclazuril used for?
Diclazuril is a triazinone antiprotozoal that is effective for treating infections caused by Isospora spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Eimeria spp. and has been used for treating coccidiosis It also has been used in horses to treat equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona.
Can a horse fully recover from EPM?
If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurological deficits. The success rate for treated horses is high. Many will improve and a smaller percentage will recover completely , but 10-20% of cases may relapse within two years.
How much does it cost to treat a horse with EPM?
$800-$1000 ). Horses that recover can still encounter temporary or permanent deficits. It is estimated that up to 30% of horses treated may experience relapse, likely due to the lack of immune support during and post treatment.
What are the first signs of EPM in horses?
Owners frequently notice obscure lameness, stumbling and incoordination If the brain stem is involved, usually a head tilt is present. Clinical signs may include: Ataxia (incoordination) and weakness: Generally centered in the rear limbs, symptoms worsen when the head is elevated, or the horse moves up or down slopes.
Are horses in pain with EPM?
Horses that are suffering from EPM will also be painful around the occiput and atlas, due to the inflammation going on in the spinal cord If you have the horse walk and have someone walk behind them and pull them by the tail off to one side, they will be unable to right themselves.
Can you treat EPM naturally?
The nutrient that is most commonly focused on for horses with EPM is Vitamin E. Supplementation with high levels of natural Vitamin E are often encouraged , as Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that supports nerve function and the immune system. Levels of 5,000 to 10,000 IU per day are recommended during treatment.
How do you administer ReBalance?
Dosage and Administration ReBalance ® Antiprotozoal Oral Suspension is to be administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg sulfadiazine and 1 mg/kg pyrimethamine daily or 4 mL of ReBalance ® Antiprotozoal Oral Suspension per 110 lb (50 kg) of body weight once per day.
What is Toltrazuril used for in horses?
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disorder of the nervous system of horses caused by Sarcocystis neurona. Recently, toltrazuril has begun to be used for treatment of EPM.
Is ponazuril a dewormer?
Ponazuril (Marquis Paste) is effective against coccidia It is also very safe, even in kittens as young as 2 weeks. Marquis can be given on intake as a prophylactic single-dose treatment, followed with another dose a week later.
How often do you give ponazuril?
Instead, Dr. Cannon told the audience, “
results support use
of oral ponazuril at 50mg/kg once every 24 hours for three consecutive days for treatment of coccidiosis with follow up fecal flotation. If still infected, treatment should be repeated.”.
How do you treat coccidiosis in lambs?
Diclazuril (1 mg/kg) is an effective oral anticoccidial in lambs and is administered once at ~6–8 wk of age (most common) or twice (at 3–4 wk of age and again 3 wk later). Sulfaquinoxaline in drinking water at 0.015% concentration for 3–5 days may be used to treat affected lambs.
What is Coccidiostat in poultry?
Coccidiostats are compounds that are widely used as feed additives to prevent and treat coccidiosis , a contagious disease affecting mainly poultry, and which is associated with warm and humid conditions, as can be found on poultry farms.
What is Amprolium chicken?
Amprolium-P (amprolium) 9.6% Oral Solution is intended for the treatment of coccidiosis in growing chickens, turkeys and laying hens If no improvement is noted within 3 days, have the diagnosis confirmed and follow the instructions of your veterinarian or poultry pathologist.
Can you breed a horse with EPM?
Fast Facts. EPM can affect horses of any age, breed or gender. EPM cannot be passed from horse to horse Caused by a protozoa, horses acquire EPM through pasture hay, grain, and water contaminated with opossum feces.
Does EPM cause aggression in horses?
Aggression is not a typical symptom of EPM, but it’s not ruled out EPM can impact both the brain and spinal cord, so symptoms can vary from case to case. Pain caused by EPM lesions may also cause a horse to become grouchy.
How common is EPM in horses?
EPM causes clinical disease in approximately one percent of exposed horses. Almost every part of the country has reported cases of EPM. However, the incidence of disease is much lower in the western United States, especially in regions with
small opossum populations
.
What should I feed my horse with EPM?
- Low starch, high fiber and added fat are recommended since there is an increased incidence of digestive disturbances (diarrhea) as a side effect of treatment.
- Folic acid and vitamin E have been found to aid in nerve healing and should be included in the daily regimen.
Can you vaccinate against EPM?
While some vaccines, like rabies, prevent disease, others are intended to aid in disease control. A vaccine against Sarcocystis neurona, a causative agent for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), has been available since 2000, but its efficacy has been unclear.
How do you prevent EPM in horses?
There are currently no vaccines for EPM, so pest and feed management are the best methods for prevention. A horse that contracts EPM cannot spread it to other horses, so there is no need to quarantine an infected horse.
What class of drug is ponazuril?
Ponazuril (toltrazuril sulfone) is an active metabolite of toltrazuril and is a triazine class antiprotozoal , which targets the apicoplast (plastid body), an organelle present in members of the phylum Apicomplexa, but the actual mechanism of action is not clearly described (Stock et al, 2018).
Is ponazuril and toltrazuril the same?
Ponazuril. Ponazuril (Marquis, Bayer Corporation, Kansas City, MO) is a primary metabolite of toltrazuril , a member of the triazine family of chemotherapeutic agents. Ponazuril has anticoccidial activity against a variety of parasites, including S. neurona, and was the first approved medication for treatment of EPM.
Is ponazuril FDA approved?
Like many other drugs in veterinary medicine, ponazuril is not FDA approved for use in dogs and cats and is not available from a veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer.
What is levamisole for horses?
Levamisole is commercially available as a dewormer for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It also has conventional off-label uses in horses as an immunostimulant and as a medication for treatment of Equine Protozoal Myelitis (EPM).
Can humans get EPM?
Yes. People can get sarcocystosis They acquire the disease by ingesting (oral) the protozoan, most common- ly through undercooked meat prod- ucts. Disease in humans can involve either intestinal infection or muscular invasion by the parasite.
Do possums give horses EPM?
Answer: The disease is equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM, and is transmitted from opossums to horses when they eat or drink where infected opossums have defecated The organism responsible for EPM is a parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, a protozoan or microscopic single-cell organism.
Can EPM be passed from mare to foal?
EPM can be passed from mares to foals through transplacental transmission of N. hughesi Prevention involves management steps such as reducing exposure of horses to opossum feces, discouraging wildlife in areas where horses are kept, avoiding feeding horses on the ground, and minimizing stress in horses.
Is there a
blood test
for EPM in horses?
The blood test detects antibodies to S. neurona. A negative blood test can virtually rule out EPM , missing only those horses who have so recently (one to two weeks) been exposed to the protozoa that they have not yet produced specific antibodies.
Do racoons carry EPM?
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM, is caused by Sarcocystis neurona protozoa. Carried by opossums and shed in their feces, S. neurona is frequently spread to raccoons and skunks when these animals consume opossum droppings.
Do horses lose weight with EPM?
Additionally, EPM can lead to both muscle and weight loss , and pain associated with arthritis can also cause weight loss or prevent weight gain.
Where does EPM in horses come from?
EPM is an abbreviation for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. Disease of the brain and/or spinal cord in the horse. Caused by protozoan parasites , the most of important of which is transmitted by the opossum.
Is there a test for EPM?
EPM is a neurological disease of the Americas. It is most commonly caused by the parasite Sarcocystis neurona and more rarely by Neospora hughesi. The standard of practice for diagnosis is to perform a complete neurological exam, accompanied by laboratory tests that detect an immunological response to infection.
Can dogs get EPM?
EPM-like illness has also been recorded in several other mammals, including domestic dogs and cats.
Is vitamin E good for horses?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an important antioxidant for horses It helps maintain a healthy immune system and supports normal nerve and muscle function. Horses need vitamin E in their diet because they cannot synthesize it endogenously in their body. It is found in fresh, green grasses and forages.
Sources
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=bc83abc3-668c-4f4c-822e-b8eb6c630eab
https://entirelypetspharmacy.com/protazil-2lbs.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/diclazuril
https://www.farmvet.com/Protazil