Monitoring and Preventing EPE on Endemic Farms (AAEP 2011)

Researchers are helping horse farms control and detect equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE).
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Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an emerging disease of young horses that veterinarians have been diagnosing more frequently over the past few years. This gastrointestinal disease is caused by bacterial organisms known as Lawsonia intracellularis. More and more cases are diagnosed each year, and the disease–which is known to cause significant financial loss for farms and horse owners–has become endemic on certain farms. Fortunately, researchers have learned enough in their studies to help endemic farms and farms with sporadic occurrences control EPE and detect cases.

During presentations at the 2011 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Nov. 18-22 in San Antonio, Texas, Nicola Pusterla, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of California, Davis, gave some suggestions on identifying and controlling EPE.

Identify Disease Early

Observable clinical signs of EPE–which typically affects weanling foals aged 3 to 13 months–include fever, lethargy, anorexia, peripheral edema (fluid swelling), diarrhea, colic, and weight loss. The disease also causes a thickening of the intestinal walls, which leads to malabsorption of protein and a low daily weight gain

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Erica Larson, former news editor for The Horse, holds a degree in journalism with an external specialty in equine science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and has dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddle seat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in eventing with her OTTB, Dorado.

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