EPM Medication Q&A

My horse was diagnosed with EPM last year. We tried Baycox for one month–no change. Since then, he has been on a daily dosage of sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine combination (SDZ/PYR) for approximately nine months. Would it be advisable to give him Marquis and SDZ/PYR together? One veterinarian says yes, another no. Also, isn’t staying on the SDZ/PYR indefinitely compromising his

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My horse was diagnosed with EPM last year. We tried Baycox for one month–no change. Since then, he has been on a daily dosage of sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine combination (SDZ/PYR) for approximately nine months. Would it be advisable to give him Marquis and SDZ/PYR together? One veterinarian says yes, another no. Also, isn’t staying on the SDZ/PYR indefinitely compromising his gastrointestinal health? The horse has had two spinal taps and his numbers went from about 25 down to 10. Will his numbers ever reach “0?” He presently shows no symptoms. Sorry, I know I’ve asked quite a few questions here.
via e-mail

It’s hard to make a one-size-fits-all comment on dose duration for SDZ/PYR, as some veterinarians base recommendations on duration and severity of disease as well as other treatment history and response.

It is safe to say that most veterinarians recommend a minimum of 60 to 90 days on SDZ/PYR, and many horses are treated for up to six months or longer (nine months in your case). It is recommended that the SDZ/PYR combination be given on an empty stomach (most veterinarians recommend giving no food for two hours before through two hours after treatment). The food interferes with the absorption and availability of the drugs

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Written by:

Kenton Morgan DVM, Dipl. ACT, is a technical services veterinarian with Zoetis. He’s a past member the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) board of directors and serves on the American Quarter Horse Association’s research committee. His main areas of interest include equine reproduction, infectious diseases, and prevention strategies. He’s authored technical manuals on antimicrobial therapy and AAEP position statements and white papers on numerous issues, including compounding and equine serum products. Morgan speaks regionally and nationally to veterinary groups on equine veterinary topics such as vaccinology, sedation, parasite control, biosecurity, and infectious diseases. Dr. Morgan joined Zoetis in 2010.

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