Opossums and your horse’s health

One disease that horse owners in North America (particularly on the east coast) should be aware of is EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis).

EPM is a neurological disease that can be difficult to diagnose due to varying symptoms. Moreover, it is important that owners are aware of the disease as it can be fatal if it goes untreated.

Furthermore, this particular parasite attacks the brain and spinal cord. Ultimately, it causes devastating and long-lasting damage to the nervous system.

Luckily, Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis is treatable and horses recover well if it is treated promptly. Additionally, most horses show improvement after a few weeks of treatment.

How is EPM Contracted?

The primary cause of EPM is opossum droppings. Furthermore, horses contract the disease from eating contaminated feed or grazing.

What are the symptoms?

EPM presents itself subtly or severely. It can present symptoms similar to several other neurological diseases in horses. Common symptoms shown are:

Changes in gait, lameness
Abnormal sweating
Problems balancing with lifted hoof
Incoordination (worsens going up or down slopes)
Muscle atrophy, usually over shoulders
Paralysis of muscles of the eyes, face, or mouth, evident by drooping eyes, ears, or lips.
Mild depression
Trouble swallowing, dropping feed.
Leaning on a wall for balance
Loss of sensation along the face, neck, or body.
A drooping lip or repeated facial twitch
Change in vision
Dropped feed or trouble swallowing
Head tilt
Drooping ear
Changes in behavior, including throwing the rider

How is EPM prevented?

As there are no preventable vaccines for EPM, the most effective preventative measure is to keep opossums away from horses and their feed. Ultimately, we recommend keeping feed covered when not in use and removing any garbage as soon as possible.

If you have a problem with opossums on your property, particularly if they pose a threat to your horse’s safety, don’t hesitate to call us for professional opossum removal.