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Discussion on Building muscle after EPM
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Member:
digger89
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 8, 2012 - 1:14 pm:
My 23 year old quarter horse was diagnosed with EPM 11 months ago. His serum surface antigen tests were very high. He responded immediately to trimethoprim-sulfa and pyrimethamine and took the medications for 4 months. He relapsed 3 months later and he has just finished another 4 months of the same treatment. While he no longer has the asymmetrical muscle wasting and ataxia, now he has very little energy and his total muscle mass is very diminished. He was a halter horse in his youth, and as a grandson of Impressive (Digger is N/N for HYPP) has always had huge, bulky muscles.
We are working him slowly at the walk - trot, doing some gentle hills at the walk, stepping over ground poles. After a month of this we are not seeing any improvement. Would increasing his protein consumption be of help? He gets 2 lbs of Triple Crown Senior and 4 flakes of good quality grass hay each day plus 12 hours of pasture turnout. Supplements include Vitamin E, joint support, and antioxidants. He has been on Previcox for 2 years for hock arthritis. Thanks. Sarah
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 12, 2012 - 1:13 pm:
It depends on the protein content of the grass Sarah. If the protein content is less than 10 to 12%. It this is so it might well help to start adding (if underweight) or replacing (if overall weight is good) grass hay with a good quality alfalfa hay/cube.
DrO
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