What to do about opossum exposure to horses?

I found a opossum living in my hay i'm getting rid of the hay but my horses have been exposed to hay that this opossum is living in. What should I do?What to do about opossum exposure to horses?
There may not be anything wrong. But I would contact my vet %26amp; ask if there is a risk of E.P.M. %26amp; wether or not your horses should be tested for this deadly disease.


E.P.M. is treatable if your horses have been exposed. Just don't let your vet talk you into the EXPENSIVE treatment they have. My Uncle had a horse that suffered from E.P.M. %26amp; she was quickly %26amp; successfully treated with colliodal silver %26amp; grain suppliments.


Anyway, talk to your vet %26amp; see if your horses need to be tested, to see if they were exposed to anything. Then you can either start treatment or relax %26amp; not worry anymore....





I apologize for not being more clear on my answer.


EPM is EQUINE PROTOZOAL MYELOENCEPHALITIS


Testing for exposure requires cerebrospinal fluid. False positives %26amp; negatives are not likely in the spinal fluid, but it is common in the blood testing. Horses who are thought to have EPM should have their CSF tested for the presence of antibodies to the S. neurona Sporocysts.





The most common treatment is still a combination of


1.0 mg./kg. daily of PYRIMETHAMINE


20 mg./kg. daily of SULFADIAZINE


available at compounding pharmacies or at VET'S CHOICE (888-809-3710)... BE SURE that the compounding pharmacy DOES NOT mix the above with TRIMETHOPRIM. This is NOT recommended %26amp; should be avoided. The TRIMETHOPRIM is likely to add to the toxicity of the PYRIMETHAMINE.


BEFORE discontinuing treatment the horses CSF should again be tested for a negative BEFORE STOPPING TREATMENT....


Be aware that some horses can show positives up to four months after the sporocysts are dead.





FYI....


place your hay where the opossums cannot get to it. Opossums can %26amp; will climb, but they do not dig. Keep ALL grains TIGHTLY covered %26amp; keep cat food out of the barn. Opossums LOVE cat food.





Anyway, as I said, there may NOT be a problem, so talk to your vet to ask if exposure is possible, before getting worried. Also know that EPM is NOT transmitted from horse to horse....What to do about opossum exposure to horses?
I did catch the opossum though and i'm going to talk to vet but I know our area is at risk since i personally know of 2 ppls horses who have died of it within the last couple years

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Congrats on catching the little bugger. Also, good for you for researching this problem. It is always good to be up on the signs %26amp; symptoms. Thank You for being a responsible %26amp; well informed owner. My hope is you will NOT have to deal with this touching your horses, so Good Luck to you %26amp; them.

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You really need to check with a vet in your area. In some areas, like Kentucky, possum feces and urine contamination has been linked to spontaneous abortion and fetal death. I have heard (gossip only, though), that horses in the northeastern part of the country often share living quarters with opossums to the benefit of both.





A vet in your area could tell you what the stats are. Any pregnant mares should definitely be ultra sounded and watched carefully.





Best of luck!
I think your horses will be fine. If there was anything wrong with the hay they probably wouln't eat it.
Don't screw around with E.P.M. Get your vet out there NOW and redo your place so that possums can't get in. E.P.M. is a horrible thing and you don't want to expose your horses to it.