This message is from: Tamara Rousso <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sheri - So Sorry to hear about your beloved Fjord. Where are you
located and what is EPM? I am fairly new to horses and have not
learned all of the alphabet soup. Of course you and Red will be in my
thoughts.
Warmly,
tamara
On Friday, July 9, 2004, at 07:52 PM, Sheri E. Kane wrote:
This message is from: "Sheri E. Kane" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi friends,
It appears that my Redford has EPM. You may remember that I wrote
to the
list concerning thrush,,,,,,, the sugardine treatment. He had a
slight case
of thrush. After it was treated Red still showed lameness. I had the
farrier and then the vet come out right away. He was on lay--- off
for 1
1/2 weeks and he was still very sore in the front right shoulder. I
died a
hundred deaths watching the vet shove him around and around only to
see Red
trip, stumble and stagger. After her examination Red looked drugged
and
couldn't even stand in the cross ties. He kept yawning and leaning
like he
would fall over. He actually fell over 1 time during the exam,,,,,,
flat to
his side and there he lay......?????????????????? The vet demanded
that we
take him to Univ. Madison Teaching College immediately!!!!!!! We
couldn't
leave till the next morning but we got there and fast!!! Our vet
thought for
sure it was neurological. The teaching college was very impressive
and Red
was very calm and cool. One of the college students said that she and
her
family had 3 fjords and 1 was just like Red,,, very playful and
curious.
Her Mom shows dressage and they had purchased a stallion from Green
Valley
Farms. Wish I could remember her name,,,, I was sort of a basket case
at
the time.
Red is probably a 1 1/2 out of 5, worst case EPM. The Dr. thinks we
caught
it very quickly and with the new drugs 1 to 2 months of paste type
treatment
may bring 70% of the population up 2 grades on that level. My daughter
lives in NC works at a QH show barn and says that they had a pricey QH
treated immediatly that healed 100% and still shows well on the
circuit.
The trick is that 70% of the horse population show improvement. The
Madison
vet explained that the % does not show the average age, length of time
after
onset..... etc. Red is only 7 years old.
We took Red to Madison on Wednes. this week. Today is Friday and
still no
blood test results from them. They only took blood. We didn't want
spinal
tests, too risky. 50% of all horses in the US will show positive in
the
blood for EPM whether or not they ever "get" the disease. In the
blood and
in the spinal cord/brain are two different things. After showing
signs of
the disease,,, the parasite has entered the spinal fluid. The new
drugs
will kill the organisms living in the horse, but if they have created
too
much damage already the success rates of course go down. Early
treatment is
the key, we hear. As far as we can tell Red has shown signs for a
maxium of
3-4 weeks. Strss can bring on the disease if the horse already has the
organism in its blood.
The Madison vet told us today, on the phone, that it could take 1 week
to
get blood results from Kentucky. Our concern was if 1 more week goes
on,,,,, those little buggers have 1 more week to play with Red's body.
The
Madison vet has sent a tube of drugs to our house for 1 week to start
treatment. The drugs have a very safe history and cause very little
damage.
He says, some dirareaha... spelling. He is to remain in a stall for
the 1
month...... he will be outside in a smaller paddock. They don't even
want
him to be hand walked,,,,,,, blood flow I guess. After 1 month of
treatment
he should show ...... really good improvement. If not,,, we go 1 more
month
maximum. We are praying for recovery!!!
You have heard my positive talk....... Now I want the negative. I am a
positive person and pray alot....... but.. I am also a realist. They
say
the "new" drugs are the trick. I would like some feedback from you
guys if
you have anything. Red is a pleasure horse..... trail rides, pleasure
driving.. and therapeutic work for people of all ages. If he can't be
a
show horse................WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!! I want a safe and fun
horse,,,,,,, thats ALL!!!!!
Please give me something, anything. I have cried as much as 1 person
can.
I will maintain hope no matter what. If treatment fails, I will
consider
letting Red go to a loveing family to be a pasture buddy. My husband
is a
52 year old engineer, laid off for over 4 months now and we cannot
afford to
keep him. Prayers would be wonderful for you people wanting to do
something
wonderful for us. THANK YOU in advance.
sheri and red
