Horse Diseases From Possums

It is especially important to protect your horses from infectious diseases. One such disease, Equine Protosoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM, originates from opossums and some birds, and the horse fields can become contaminated by opossum waste. Proper fencing options to keep opossums away, as well as necessary horse care and checkups, may protect your horse from EPM infection.

Electric mesh fencing options may keep opossums from entering the horse field. Additionally, cover food and grain, and make sure your garbage cans are covered. Do not come in contact with the opossum waste, because if the EPM parasite is present in the waste matter it can stay active for a year. In the case of a bite or scratch by an opossum, scrub the wound with soap and water immediately. Then clean the area repeatedly with water. Contact a physician immediately, whether the horse or a human is bitten. Consult your veterinarian about successful measures to prevent the spread of disease from opossums to your horse.

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis is a disease that attacks the spinal cord and nervous systems of horses. This neurological disease causes a change in the gait of the horse, which increasingly becomes worsened by weakness and leaning. The horse can further develop facial paralysis, and the disease is known to cause seizures.

A veterinarian will perform blood tests and check the cerebrospinal fluid of the horse through a spinal tap. This will determine if the parasite is present so that immediate treatment can begin. Early treatment can result in complete reversal of the disease.

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis is prevented mainly through protecting the horse's environment. Though there is no direct vaccination for this disease, the disease can be avoided by warding off rodents, opossums and birds from your horse stable, as well as by keeping all feed covered and secured. Also, clean up any feed spills so that these animals, especially opossums, will not be attracted to the horse's space.

Opossums are not classified, legally. Therefore, it is legal to trap and kill them all year without a permit. Live cage traps can be used without a permit as well. It is likewise illegal to release opossums except back onto the same land that it was trapped, and permits must be obtained in order to transport opossums from one state to another. Updates on opossum laws are available at your local Fish and Wildlife office.