Less Common
Related Diagnoses
This treatment might be used to treat these conditions or ailments.
Treatment
A way to improve or resolve a condition or diagnosis. This might include resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment).
Cost: $500 to $1,000
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
YOUR VET MAY Recommend
Anti-Protozoal Drugs
Cost: $500 to $1,000
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
Summary
Anti-protozoal drugs are primarily used to treat Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a common neurologic disease usually affecting the spinal cord. There are several classes of these drugs.
Drugs that have been evaluated and approved by FDA for the treatment of EPM include ponazuril, diclazuril, and a combination drug of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Other drugs are likely compounded. Generally, there is no reason for use of compounded medications, as the FDA approved drugs exist.
Anti-protozoal drugs kill or inhibit growth of protozoa in a variety of ways, depending on the specific drug.
Due to the difficulty in definitively diagnosing EPM, your vet may choose to use these drugs as a diagnostic tool. If your horse responds to the drug course, this may confirm the diagnosis of a protozoal infection and warrant longer term treatment. These medications are typically given daily for a month or more at a time.
Drugs that have been evaluated and approved by FDA for the treatment of EPM include ponazuril, diclazuril, and a combination drug of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Other drugs are likely compounded. Generally, there is no reason for use of compounded medications, as the FDA approved drugs exist.
Anti-protozoal drugs kill or inhibit growth of protozoa in a variety of ways, depending on the specific drug.
Due to the difficulty in definitively diagnosing EPM, your vet may choose to use these drugs as a diagnostic tool. If your horse responds to the drug course, this may confirm the diagnosis of a protozoal infection and warrant longer term treatment. These medications are typically given daily for a month or more at a time.
my vet's role
Know Related Treatments
Your vet considers other treatments that might be used along with or instead of this treatment.
CONSIDER POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS & COMPLICATIONS
Some of these drugs can cause anemia by interfering with the development of red blood cells. Some can cause diarrhea. Sometimes there is a worsening of signs of disease a few days into treatment. This may be caused by die off of parasites and associated inflammation.In 2014, a number of horses died after being treated with a compounded anti-protozoal combination of toltrazuril and pyrimethamine.
CONSIDER REASONS NOT TO USE THIS TREATMENT
These drugs should not be used without some diagnostic evidence that there is indeed a protozoal infection. When they are used diagnostically, it should be clear that they are being used this way.your role
Related Skills
These are skills you might need if your horse is getting this treatment.
Is it working? Timeframe for effect.
In many cases of EPM, there will be noticeable signs of improvement within 1-2 weeks. In other cases, any change or improvement may be very vague, and hard to discern. In that case, the course of medication is usually completed. Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Given my options, why have you chosen this particular drug?
- How soon should we see the effect, if any?
- How will we decide if the horse is improved or not, if the signs are so subtle to begin with?
- What are the side effects and complications for the specific anti-protozoal drug you recommend?
further reading & resources
Brand Name Products
Equine health related brand name products and services.
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PRN Pharmacal ReBalance® Antiprotozoal Oral Suspension
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
