EPSM - an idiots guide

Tr0uble

Tr0uble

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Can anyone please help me with some sort of idiots guide? Symptoms, causes, things that make it worse, what to do, what not to do, treatment?

I've done plenty of research but having trouble getting my head around everyhting.

After 12 months of treating my boy for (confirmed) ulcers, and finding ourselves with no improvement, and now no improvement on Gastrogard, there has to be something else wrong.

I have spoken to my vet and we are planning a full work up once everywhere has thawed (under snow here!) but in the mean time i need to geek up a bit so I know what questions to ask.

I've already started him on the recommended diet, and within just 3 days his demeanor has improved (for the last week or so he's been almost dangerous to handle) and now his eye is softer, boxwalking has stopped, the anxiousness has stopped,

With the weather I can't try the ridden stuff, and wouldn't expect to see any difference so soon (about a month or more I've read?)

Anyone help at all???
 
send a PM to soulfull as her previous horse suffered with this so she knows a lot about it
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Tr0uble, I'd immediately start your horse on Coligone, the peppermint powder rather than the sticky liquid aniseed. It is truly miraculous and I've seen the results on horses on my yard many times. Given at a maintenance dose it costs only pence per day. PM H's_mum for more info or google H Bradshaws who make it. Don't forget though that a horse confined to its box will be unhappy anyway. Not quite sure what you're saying either because in the first bit you say no improvement then later you say he's heaps better already?????
 
Sorry, I've just realised my OP makes very little sense!

He has had ulcers, but it now appears that the symptoms may have been EPSM all aling.

Coligone didn't work either.

He showed no improvement after being treated for ulcers, but has shown an almost immediate improvement one the EPSM diet...reinforcing the evidence that the problem is, and possibly always has been, EPSM.
 
I wonder if you can glean more from this link. Most articles on EPSM seem to come from the States, possibly because of the propensity of heavy horses and quarter horses over there. I have followed your ongoing struggle with finding a successful solution to your horse's problems TrOuble. I hope that this time you've hit the nail on the head. Once you've a diagnosis you can deal with a remedy, it's diagnosing a problem such as your horse displays that's the daunting/frustrating bit. I wish you all the very best with this one.
http://www.thehorseshoof.com/KendraEPSM.pdf
 
Ah, just been on other forum and read you're vet is now on to it. What a brilliant vet he/she sounds. Also seems you have a few members with hands on experience of the condition. Brilliant and good luck again for the way forward.
Like Appy said, I'd be inclined to make very slight dietary adjustments now though. Plenty of folk feed splats of oil simply for coat shine and condition. Might make him more comfortable pre-full investigation commencing but then I can fully understand your concerns re. the insurance sharks.
 
Hi!

Thanks for the link!

Yes my vet has been fab throughout everything, as have many members of a few different forums - bit of a lifeline!

I made some dietry changes last Saturday, I wasn't far off but was feeding serious volume of Rye grass, which is often a culprit apparently! Since removing that and adding the oil and vits, I have noticed a difference in him just since Saturday. I know it takes approx a month to see any real difference, but his demeanor is back to calm again (after a nightmare fortnight) and his eye is soft, he's stopped being crabby with the other horses, stopped snatching at food and dashing to the stable door, stopped pacing the fenceline in the field etc.

All that just further confirms my suspicion...that and after doing a lot of reading, he is displaying every single symptom associated with the condition - the only one single symptom I can't link in is the failure to rise after anaesthetic, but he's never had anaesthetic so it simply hasn't been tested!

I am now sure that the episodes of stopping suddenly and kicking up at his stomach and refusal to move forwards/rearing/bucking - were not his ulcers causing pain, but actually him tying up. How awful do i feel!

He would even go through phases of planting his feet when led to and from the field - no stress, just plant his feet and hang his head and refuse to move.

The ridden reactions were so inconsistent that it was always odd for ulcers as they should hurt all the time, whereas tying up can be that bit more sporadic.

Which other forum have you read about Snip?

My only worry with insurance is that having just closed a 12 month/£5k cliam for ulcers - which started exactly this time last year, I feel they may be suspiscious at another claim now!

Since posting this I have read tons of info, kindly sent to me by another with a horse who suffers, and Googling like mad....so I feel a bit more clued up.

TBH, every single, without exception, site and paper I've read could have been written about Snip. moreso than any of the ulcer stuff. With ulcers he only ever showed to 'not so common' symptoms, in an extreme way, but none of the really common ones - was only ever grade 2 ulcers so it never made sense to have such violent behaviour, and so sporadic, from the diagnosis. But the ulcers WERE there, I saw them myself, so of course we went with it.

Arrrrgh. All I wanted was a horse to have some fun on!!!
 
Sorry to hear of the problems with your horse. Have you had the horse tested for EPSM also known as PSSM - Polysaccharid Storage Myopathy (excuse spelling, probably wrong)? Animal Genetics UK have done tests in the past for this inherited disorder. All you need to do is send them a sample of mane hair (about 25-30 hairs) most importantly, with roots. Their tel no is 01872 - 262737. Email: info@horsedna.co.uk (better to ring). If they cannot do it in the UK they will help and advise about getting the sample to the States. I guess you have read all about this condition on the University of Minnesota site? Has your horse got any American bloodlines, do you know its breeding, just out of interest?
Best of luck.
 
T'was on the IHDG forum that I read about Snip.
So all symptoms tie in with EPSM. Looking good - if you know what I mean. If this proves correct it's a pity about the red herring ulcer months delaying progress, although I suppose even though not too serious they could have become so if left untreated. Fingers crossed for a Happy New Year featuring a stress free, totally chilled, fun horse - and of course, rider!
 
QR

I was treating my arab mare for ulcers with little imporvement and after much internet searching decided to try managing as EPSM - she had all the associated behaviours/problems.

Like yourself, near instant improvement and our only problem now is maximising turnout (horse will not wear a rug in the field so cold/rain/snow is bad) anf exersice in this snow.

Goos luck!
 
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