Pedigree Query

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:27 pm

Experiences anyone?

amanda1 · Postby **amanda1** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:11 pm

We've had very positive experience when we have gotten them on Marquis early, even before tests come back either way.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:42 pm

I got in a mare who had not been able to get in foal/keep a foal. She was dragging her hind feet, flunked the tail test, etc., all the signs of EPM. One month on Rebalance (the first three weeks she was hanging onto walls for support and staggering around like a drunk) and she was all done, much better. Threw a gorgeous filly for me in May.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:48 am

And how long till there is a significant change in regards to the neurological symtoms?

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:53 am

They often look like they are getting worse before they get better. In my experience, two months till you see real improvement, then about 4 months till they look normal.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:40 am

Did you do the spinal tap or just the blood?

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:01 pm

Are sales ever going to demand that consignors/sellers have an EPM test on file? Nobody can have a vet draw a spinal tap at a sale - it's really, "Buyer Beware" when it comes to this.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:03 pm

In one case, the dragging hind feet and the tail test were all we needed, plus once the meds hit her there was an obvious reaction. On the other, just a blood test. The meds are so inexpensive now ($75 a bottle) it's cheaper to tail test, run blood and treat it than it is to do a spinal tap to definitively test for it.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:19 pm

They should have an EPM on file IMO... especially on horses from locales that might be suspect."
Marquis might be a wee bit more than you say Madelyn... then again, vets are prone to having the 200% mark up.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:12 pm

As I said, I used Re Balance, which was $75 a bottle and perfectly effective. I didn't use Marquis. There is also a high $$ called something like Navigator. But now the compounding pharmacies are making generics, and they run about $75 a bottle. If you want to buy Marquis that is your choice.

docjocoy · Postby **docjocoy** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:20 am

I hope your horse has EPM and not wobblers. Our beautiful 2 year old colt had similar symptoms, and we sent him to San Luis Rey for diagnostic tests. I researched EPM and wobblers, which have very similar symptoms, and after all the research was really praying that he would be diagnosed with EPM. I was so very upset at the time, but I believe it is actually easier to diagnose wobblers than EPM, just a simple ex-ray of the neck area, rather than a blood test or spinal tap, and you get the result right away. Once he was diagnosed with wobblers, (the spinal compression could be seen on the exray), then they did another more complete scan under general anesthesia to determine whether it is operable. In our case it was too severe, and we had to put him down. If you can rule out wobblers, EPM is treatable but may take awhile, but at least you end up with a live horse.
I hope you have a positive result. Good luck.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:36 am

It is EPM. Diagnosed. and medicated. I just don't see a real improvement. I want him turned out and treated and the partners want to keep him in training. So he jog a mile daily. He tries to fall down regularly, he's miserable in his stall, diggs and digs. it makes no sense to me to keep him in training. He's two, he's a nice colt, he's been on Marquis for a month with little noticable changes... I just think time lying in the sun, doing some growing up would be good for him.

docjocoy · Postby **docjocoy** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:55 am

Gosh, ya think? Some people don't seem to think of horses as animals but as property. That's awful. Your horse really needs a nice big grassy pasture. I hope the owners will realize it.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:18 pm

Oh gosh. I think it is the wrong time to still be working him.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:45 pm

He hasn't had a "work" since early June.... Odd lamenesses, couldn't keep him healthy. We'd take a step forward and he'd be right back to square one. It was wretched cycle! So since that time he has done little more than jog one mile a day. What's the point. Kick him out. let him grow up and heal. But what do I know.