Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will first conduct a thorough physical examination to assess your horse's general health and identify any suspicious signs. One notable clue is the disease often tends to affect one side or part of the horse more than another.
If your equine practitioner suspects EPM, he or she will order blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. A spinal tap, in which a long needle is inserted through the back and into the spinal canal, will be necessary. The blood test alone, while useful, is inconclusive as it may indicate exposure to the organism but not whether the disease has attacked the central nervous system. A positive blood test only means the horse has been exposed to the parasite, not that it has or will develop clinical disease. Prompt, accurate diagnosis is essential and treatment should begin immediately.
