|
|
 
| Would this EPM test result concern you if you were looking to purchase this horse?
Results:
1:500 TITER ON SERUM
Positive, specific antibodies were detected. This result indicates exposure to S. neurona, a causative agent of equine protozoal myelitis (EPM). It does not confirm the clinical disease. Serum titers range from <1:250 (negative) to >1:4000 (high).
We are in the Pacific Northwest and a friend is looking at this horse (who is in AR) - the vet doing the pre-purchase exam is not concerned and saying that a result like that is very common in their area but any positive result is giving her pause, especially with the cross-country move. She REALLY likes this horse and he seems like a great fit for her so she is just looking for experiences/insight and whether or not this result should be a deal-breaker. Neither of us have had any reason to test for EPM so this is the first test results that we have seen.
He passed his physical neuro exam as well as the rest of his pre-purchase exam with flying colors.
Thanks in advance!
|
|
| |
|
Location: Not Where I Want to Be | no
|
|
| |
|
 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
 
Location: LA Lower Alabama | wishingforsun - 2018-03-28 3:51 PM Would this EPM test result concern you if you were looking to purchase this horse?
Results:1:500 TITER ON SERUM
Positive, specific antibodies were detected. This result indicates exposure to S. neurona, a causative agent of equine protozoal myelitis (EPM). It does not confirm the clinical disease. Serum titers range from <1:250 (negative) to >1:4000 (high).We are in the Pacific Northwest and a friend is looking at this horse (who is in AR) - the vet doing the pre-purchase exam is not concerned and saying that a result like that is very common in their area but any positive result is giving her pause, especially with the cross-country move. She REALLY likes this horse and he seems like a great fit for her so she is just looking for experiences/insight and whether or not this result should be a deal-breaker. Neither of us have had any reason to test for EPM so this is the first test results that we have seen.
He passed his physical neuro exam as well as the rest of his pre-purchase exam with flying colors.
Thanks in advance!
Edited by cowgalsissy 2018-03-28 4:04 PM
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 542
| all horses have epm different vets have different theories etc blah blah
you should be treating for it at least yearly
As soon as one loses muscle and looks crappy i'll treat
my opinion and its not always popular but i wouldn't pass up my dream horse on that test result nor would i gamble the worht of my horse on $200-$1k worth of meds
|
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 494
| I'd buy the horse and ask the owner to reduce the price. I knowingly bought one with epm. The owners didn't know but I picked up on some things. I said if his results come back with epm, I want him. If it's clean I will pass. They took 1500 off his price for treatment. I'm tripling my money on the horse now just for a simple treat and test. |
|
| |
|
Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | No, not at all. It’s just about a guarantee that a horse in this Midwest strip of states (KS, TX, MO, AR, Ok)has been exposed. If it was me I would put him on a 30 day treatment of Protazil, just to be on the safe side. He’ll be stressed with a long trip, new surroundings, etc . I’d also make sure he was on a good digestive aid like Forco. |
|
| |
|
 No Tune in a Bucket
Posts: 2935
Location: Texas | My son was told by a vet friend that any horse that had been in Texas more than 6 months would test positive for some level of EPM. Just think of the number of horses sold daily that that would include. Unless the horse is showing visible signs of EPM, I agree that I would buy, treat and if you can get some knocked off of the purchase price, that would be a plus. Would not keep me from buying. |
|
| |
|
 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| No. The test is completely inaccurate.
I had one nearly die on me of EPM, and he never one time registered a single titer response.
If you’re concerned, buy him a bucket of Protazil or some kind of treatment. |
|
| |
|
Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | classicpotatochip - 2018-03-29 7:37 AM
No. The test is completely inaccurate.
I had one nearly die on me of EPM, and he never one time registered a single titer response.
If you’re concerned, buy him a bucket of Protazil or some kind of treatment.
I’m glad you brought this up. There have been false negatives and false positives with the test, for sure. Not to mention, the test only tests for two types of Protozoa when there’s are many that can cause EPM symptoms. |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | My question is Why did they feel they needed to test for EPM? Is this horse having any issues? |
|
| |
Folks on-line