I just got the news from my veterinarian - my
horse's blood test came back positive for EPM. This is such a surprise to
me, and I'm so glad I had him tested. Even the vet had decided that he
probably didn't have EPM, but I asked him to test for it anyway. Glad I
did.
Apparently the meds for it are extremely expensive,
about $800 to $900 a month. This is not something I counted on, and
it's frightening.
I was so *sure* he wouldn't have EPM, because we
don't have possums in this part of
Colorado. But my vet told me that he has seen EPM in other horses, (my
vet's in northern New Mexico). Apparently skunks may also be
implicated in spreading this -- oddly enough, I've only been feeding hay to my
horses. So, it's a mystery to me how he got it, but now I have to figure
out how to pay for his treatment. It's not going to be easy, but
there's no choice, it is a treatable condition and the sooner we start his meds
the better.
