Piroplasmosis Stories

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Heelsdown

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Hi,

A bit of a rare one, but one of my friends horses has contracted Piroplasmosis (Babesia Equi Theileria) while competing abroad.

Does anyone have any information or treatment stories?

Thanks!
 
I took on a 17yr old ex racing Arab who had had EP when younger. I was told by the previous owner he'd had a blood transfusion. The horse and I weren't suited but a friend of mine loved him and still has him 5 years on, he still acts like a 5yr old! (Horse not friend!) so I think full recovery is possible. Hope all goes well x
 
My previous horse, 5 year old gelding, had priroplasmosis. The first symptom (only two weeks after I got him) was a very, very swollen sheath and discomfort peeing. At first the vet thought it was a reaction to a bite or sting and treated as such. The swelling resolved with meds but returned within 3 days of stopping treatment.
We then had a blood test which showed piroplasmosis. The vet believed he already had it before I got him but the stress of a change of home brought out symptoms. Treatment consisted of various antibiotic injections once a week if I remember correctly plus a painkiller because of an increased risk of colic. They made him very lethargic for around 3 hours... like I couldn't get him up off the ground kind of lethargic. He would be out totally flat. This went on once a week for several weeks. He lost a shed load of weight. But then the subsequent blood test showed he was clear and slowly he put weight back on and recovered absolutely fine. Treatment and blood tests cost around €1000 euros all in.
 
Last edited:
MDB said:
My previous horse, 5 year old gelding, had priroplasmosis. The first symptom (only two weeks after I got him) was a very, very swollen sheath and discomfort peeing. At first the vet thought it was a reaction to a bite or sting and treated as such. The swelling resolved with meds but returned within 3 days of stopping treatment.
We then had a blood test which showed piroplasmosis. The vet believed he already had it before I got him but the stress of a change of home brought out symptoms. Treatment consisted of various antibiotic injections once a week if I remember correctly plus a painkiller because of an increased risk of colic. They made him very lethargic for around 3 hours... like I couldn't get him up off the ground kind of lethargic. He would be out totally flat. This went on once a week for several weeks. He lost a shed load of weight. But then the subsequent blood test showed he was clear and slowly he put weight back on and recovered absolutely fine. Treatment and blood tests cost around €1000 euros all in.
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Thank you, this is really helpful!

Do you know what type of EP he had?

Thank you
 
Sorry Heelsdown... I honestly cannot. I was only two weeks into owning my first ever horse, a complete novice when it came to horse care and management, just moved abroad, building a house and learning a new language. Had a lot going on in my head at the time.
 
my gelding had Piro - leptospirosis, echiliosis and something else. It's very common over here (france) as we are inundated by biting things.... huge dose of antibios - we tried IV ones for 5 days, but on day 4 had a reaction, so had to take a powder form for a month. then he was on a liver tonic for another 3 months as that's what's most affected by it I think. he's in good health now, but did get some sarcoids following the dose (vet says that's not uncommon as immune system weaker). they have also been treated and gone. not a fun time, but he's in great spirits again. He was 6 at the time. (Now 8).
 
I have five horses who are from / have lived in Southern Spain, where piroplasmosis is endemic. Three have had it during my ownership, all three were treated within a day of showing signs as owners and vets there are very hot on it. While the clinical signs (lethargy, temperature, lack of appetite) seem to go away quickly with treatment it can take a few weeks for the horse to be 100% again - a bit like a human after bad flu. All mine have been back to normal after a couple of months of easy-ish work though (hacking mostly) and none have any lasting effects.
 
My husband hunts in France, and as already stated it is pretty frequent over there; the horses get covered
by ticks, mostly in their ears.They develope a strong temperature and show symptoms closely resembling those
of a horse tying up ie very dark urine,muscles cramping and general depression,they will go off their food and if not treated rapidly with STRONG antibiotics and good after care, they can die or suffer from life long disabilities.
They must have plenty of time to recuperate, preferably a good long summer with the sun on their back; if care is taken these horses can go back to work and carry on as normal...But don't ever Under estimate this desease; it can be a killer.
Get a good vet!
 
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