Bert&Maud
Well-Known Member
I have had this message emailed to my this evening from a member of our hunt, via a friend. I forwarded it on to all of my horsey friends. One replied that they had a donkey who died a couple of weeks ago with very similar symptoms. I googled EAM and it sounds like a horrible condition with a high mortality rate so thought I would forward this to HHO in the hope that it might help. The information that I read does not suggest that it is only young horses who are at risk.
"I had a horse die this week of EAM equine atypical Myopathy. I had not even heard of it.
In this mild weather a bacteria has been growing on grass particularly on wet ground and under trees. Mostly young (but not always hence atypical) horses up to 3 can get it that are out on grass 24/7. If you bring them in at night and feed hay, the toxins don't build up and they are safe.
The symptons are a horse ties up at the back end and is usually found on the ground immobile but oddly still wanting to eat. Laboured breathing, sweating and inability to pass urine but when a cathetar is placed it comes out dark muddy blood coloured. There is only a 12% chance of survival and even then muscle damage and liver/kidney . Having been through the whole disaster I would reccommend that a horse found with it is best shot as it really is hopeless. Mine was 18months Irish colt massive lad and strong and healthy and I thought he would make it. He lasted two days on a drip!
I have asked Blackmore vale to put a thing in the paper but it wont make this week. My ground isn't wet, there are a few leaves but not many but Berwick is a damp place. I have to say I am really gutted, as it is so easily prevented, I just didnt know."
"I had a horse die this week of EAM equine atypical Myopathy. I had not even heard of it.
In this mild weather a bacteria has been growing on grass particularly on wet ground and under trees. Mostly young (but not always hence atypical) horses up to 3 can get it that are out on grass 24/7. If you bring them in at night and feed hay, the toxins don't build up and they are safe.
The symptons are a horse ties up at the back end and is usually found on the ground immobile but oddly still wanting to eat. Laboured breathing, sweating and inability to pass urine but when a cathetar is placed it comes out dark muddy blood coloured. There is only a 12% chance of survival and even then muscle damage and liver/kidney . Having been through the whole disaster I would reccommend that a horse found with it is best shot as it really is hopeless. Mine was 18months Irish colt massive lad and strong and healthy and I thought he would make it. He lasted two days on a drip!
I have asked Blackmore vale to put a thing in the paper but it wont make this week. My ground isn't wet, there are a few leaves but not many but Berwick is a damp place. I have to say I am really gutted, as it is so easily prevented, I just didnt know."