MARE TO FOAL TRANSMISSION
Some researchers suggest we stop blaming the humble opossum as EPM’s only culprit. While more clinical research is necessary, many alternative practitioners posit that the disease is now traveling, generation by generation, through our mares and foals.
Having treated as many as seven continuous generations of broodmares for EPM, one acupuncturist says foals out of such mares have shown ‘hot’ points at less than a week old. EPM protozoa, he suspects, are traveling from mare to foal through the colostrum. Still others suspect the disease is transferred in utero.
At UC Davis, clinical studies following the life cycle of a less prevalent EPM infector, N. hughesi, and its close relation, N. caninum (which affects dogs and cattle), have indeed determined a congenital route of transfer: “The group at UC Davis has determined N. hughesi is likely transmitted vertically in horses. As in cattle, the parasite invades different tissues, including
“Stress and/or a weakened immune system can cause relapses,” Young says. He often suggests administering an ulcer- prevention drug prior to shipping, to lower the chance of relapse, since “parasites love ulcers.”
Young owns a horse with EPM, and his personal strategy is low-stress, low-impact therapy. “Aquatherapy – working on a treadmill in water – keeps muscles conditioned while minimizing stress.”
He also uses Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) Magan- Wave therapy to stimulate cell metabolism and tone down “hot” nerves: “Cell protein synthesis is enhanced, which
the fetus via the placenta. Preliminary results have shown that persistently infected broodmares give birth to healthy foals that have evidence of intrauterine infection, as evidenced by N. hughesi antibodies in their blood prior to ingestion of colostrum. These mares harbor the pathogen, which is dormant most of the time, and becomes active during late gestation, crossing the utero-placental unit. Following gestation, the pathogen becomes dormant again.” One four month-old foal, that showed signs of muscular in- coordination consistent with EPM, improved with antiprotozoal treatment and is currently (July 2010) doing well.
allows the body to take advantage of all the protein available. Circulation is improved, not by increasing heartbeat or blood pressure, but by opening and dilating arteries and capillaries, and the lymphatic system is stimulated, to clean damaged areas and detoxify the body.”
Young and Volz both use Chinese herbs to help boost the immune system. “Twice a year, I ‘clean out’ their systems with Chinese herb supplements,” Young says. “I also supplement before shipping. Even if my horse is ‘clean’ at home, shipping can cause a relapse so I keep them on supplements while at a show and for several days after coming home.”
________
“EPM IS A BATTLE,” ACKNOWLEDGES GARY YOUNG, “BUT DON’T PANIC. IT IS
MANAGEABLE AND YOU AND YOUR HORSE CAN LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT.” ________
Volz sees herb supplements as conducive to restoring nerve endings, boosting the immune system, and easing gastric ulcers. She agrees that protozoa love ulcers, where holes in the stomach lining allow entrance into a horse’s bloodstream. Among her favorite “protozoa killers” is the hardy American herb, artemsia, related to the daisy family, Asteraceae.
EPM: THE NEXT GENERATION “We have become more aware” of EPM, Volz says. And more open-minded to the use of Chinese herbs or blood injections, and to earlier diagnoses through acupuncture points. Young concludes, “If your veterinarian is not trained in Eastern medicine, i.e. acupuncture, Chinese herbs, etc., they might miss the early warning signs, but even the top ‘traditional medicine’ vets are starting to believe they can learn more about this disease by keeping an open mind to alternative medicine, which can minimize the dependency on drugs, save money, and ultimately and most importantly, save the horse.”
L.A. Pomeroy of Northampton MA is an equestrian photojournalist and award- winning publicist. A member of American Horse Publications since 1992, she is a prolific participant in the horse care realm. She enjoys trail riding in her native Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, and collecting/researching equestrian art and collectibles. Follow LA on Facebook and read her blog at
HolisticHorse.com
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www.holistichorse.com Holistic Horse™ • October/November 2010 • Vol.16, Issue 69
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