b'YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2017 AAEP CONVENTIONmedically and PSHO-treated horses. included three groups of seven horses:They also found that all CHO-treated1. An untreated control group;horses showed some improvement2. Treated with ivermectin; andafter surgery, compared to only 45% of3.Treated with ivermectin and the com-medically treated horses. Additionally,mercially produced pellets.65% of CHO horses returned to previousThey followed the horses for 64 weeks, function, compared to 12.5% of medicallychecking FECs weekly. All group FEC av-treated horses. erages were above 500 prior to the study. The study validates CHO as the stan- The control groups FECs stayed above dard of care, MacKay said. 300. Both groups treated with ivermectin had FECs of 0 for Weeks 2 and 4. But by A New EPM-Related Bug? Week 4 the ivermectin-only group had re-Equine protozoal myeloencephalitisturned to above 300 while the ivermectin/(EPM) is a serious neurologic diseasespore group remained below 300.that has two widely accepted protozoalThe results show that manufacturers causes: Sarcocystis neurona and Neosporacan successfully include parasite-killing hughesi. However, recently Toxoplasmafungi spores in commercially produced gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis (a dis- pelleted feeds, and that these can biologi-ease thats a concern for pregnant womencally extend ivermectins effect. DUSTY PERINexposed to litter boxes of infected cats), Researchers verified one surgical procedure as has caught EPM researchers attention. the standard of care for horses with THO, whichHock Injection AccuracyScientists hypothesized that T. gon- causes head-tilting and facial paralysis.In the first study Santschi recapped, dii titers are related to horses showingresearchers sought to see how accurate neurologic signs because, While toxo- disease in infected horses, suppress viralvets were at placing intra-articular (IA, plasmosis is not commonly consideredshedding, and limit disease spread dur- in the joint) injections in the two lower a clinical disease of equines, previousing outbreaks. In one study researchershock jointsthe centrodistal (CD) and seroprevalence studies have reportedinvestigated if a preventive course of thethe tarsometatarsal (TMT)in 12 healthy differing background rates of Toxoplasmaantiviral valacyclovir hydrochloride wouldhorses. Vets injected 4 mL of contrast me-gondii infection in horses globally, wrotebe more effective than starting treatmentdium into each joint. Researchers noted the authors. after horses showed signs of the disease. needle repositioning and/or replacement, They took serum samples in the fallThe study included 18 aged maresthen took X rays to find out where the me-from horses showing neurologic signsdivided into treatment groups beforedium was located within the desired joint.related to EPM, as well as healthy horsesexposure to a neuropathogenic strain ofThe research team determined that: in California. They found the horses withEHV-1. Group 1, the controls, received aVeterinarians successfully injected 23 neurologic signs were more likely to: placebo; Group 2 received prophylacticof 24 (96%) TMT joints; Have high T. gondii titers; (preventive) treatment with valacyclovir They hit the target in just 10 of 24Be Warmbloods, ponies, or Quarterhydrochloride 24 hours before EHV-1 ex- (42%) CD joints;Horses; posure; and Group 3 didnt receive treat-There was communication (leakage)Be 1 to 5 years old; and ment until onset of EHV-1 clinical signs. between the TMT and CD joints in 26% Have lower S. neurona/N. hughesi titers.Horses in Groups 2 and 3 exhibitedand 20% of successful TMT and CD The last point, MacKay said, is surpris- significantly lower levels of nasal viralinjections, respectively; anding, and he encouraged study replication.shedding than controls. Horses in Groups Years of experience did not appear to However, this could be the first indica- 2 and 3 also had lower viral loads and,impact injection accuracy significantly.tion of a third EPM disease, he said. most significantly, said MacKay, they hadSantschi said the leakage was likely due less-severe ataxia (incoordination). Thatto the high injection volume, but could Early EHV-1 Intervention means treating horses with valacyclovirimpact withdrawal times in regulatory Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a high- hydrochloride preventively or at onsetsettings, such as when treating racehorses ly infectious and fast-spreading respiratoryof fever during outbreaks might preventwith IA corticosteroids or non-steroidal disease, especially at events where horsesneurologic disease. However, prophylacticanti-inflammatories before a race. comingle in close quarters while undertreatment or treatment at first fever didnt travel and competition stress, makingreduce non-neurologic clinical signs. Comparing Castration Contraptionsthem vulnerable to disease. The virus canThe researchers behind this study also cause a deadly neurologic condition,Fungal Spores To Control Parasites? analyzed two commonly used emascula-EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy (EHM).Scientists tried feeding pellets contain- tors with different methods of actionthe To prevent EHV-1 disease and deaths,ing parasite-killing fungi spores to reduceSerra and the Reimerfor castration. scientists seek early intervention ap- fecal egg counts (FECs) in dewormedThe Reimer has a double crush action, proaches that might prevent neurologichorses. The randomized-control trialmeaning it first crushes the spermatic A12 TheHorse.com/AAEP2017 AAEP Wrap-Up THE HORSEMarch 2018'