Lasting Impact of Anaplasmosis (aka Ehrlicia)

[FineAlready]

Have those of you with horses that have had anaplasmosis noticed any lasting impacts from the disease?

My horse had it in November 2011 and has never really been right since then, IMO. He is now having some very bizarre shivers-like/PSSM-like symptoms and I’m wondering if they are related to the anaplasmosis (either long term effects that last after it is “cured” or perhaps we didn’t get rid of it all the way?). He was treated with 5 days of IV oxytetracycline, I believe (it may have been 7, but I believe it was 5 - I think I wanted 7, but the vet told me 5 was standard and that they had never seen problems with that dose).

Following the anaplasmosis, he started to have weird tight muscles and visible muscle tremors. His current symptoms are much the same, but he is also now having trouble holding up his back feet for the farrier and sometimes even for normal hoof picking. He is also intermittently lame behind but works out of it to a large degree if he is given a long slow warmup.

Immediately following the anaplasmosis, he was also majorly out of whack chiropractically. His whole rib cage was rotated to the right, he had two ribs out, his hip was out, all of his lumbar vertebrae were shifted to the right, his sternum was out, etc. That was all corrected and he has held the adjustments well for the most part (just needed minor adjustments last time). I assumed that he must have fallen while ataxic from the anaplasmosis.

Has anyone noticed any after effects of anaplasmosis, or experienced a situation where the anaplasmosis came back or did not clear all the way after antibiotics. I have asked the vet about it a few times previously, but they have told me that it does not have lasting effects and this has to be something else. But all this weird muscle tightness and trembling started right after the anaplasmosis and seems to be getting worse.

Thoughts? I’m just grasping at straws at this point trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with my poor horse so that I can help him. I’m switching him to a PSSM diet to see if that helps, but I just have this sense that it is something else. He’s a Thoroughbred, and my understanding is that PSSM isn’t particularly common in the breed.

[islgrl]

I have had one horse with erlichia, he was treated and never had a problem again. That probably doesn’t help you…

[FineAlready]

No, it DOES help! Thank you! That is consistent with what my vets have told me. I kind of wonder if the anaplasmosis triggered something else that was kind of latent (i.e., PSSM or similar) and that’s what I am seeing now.

[baxtersmom]

Any chance at all that your horse is HYPP positive?

[FineAlready]

Baxtersmom - I don’t think so, as he is full TB (JC registered, tattooed, and actually raced). Unless I am mistaken, I don’t think full TBs can have HYPP, right?

There is a chance that he has PSSM and/or shivers, which are other avenues we are pursuing.

[tabula_rashah]

My mare had it two years ago and was treated with IV oxy-tet then a course of doxy. She’s made a full recovery and had no issues since.
I’ve also known several other horses that have had it, been treated and had no residual effects.

[Simkie]

He certainly sounds like he may still have some neurological deficit.

Is is possible that he could have another tick-borne disease that would not respond to the oxy tet? Or even EPM?

[ChocoMare]

Did the vet also run a Lyme titer? It’s possible

[FineAlready]

[QUOTE=Simkie;6328030]
He certainly sounds like he may still have some neurological deficit.

Is is possible that he could have another tick-borne disease that would not respond to the oxy tet? Or even EPM?[/QUOTE]

He was tested for Lyme and EPM within the past few months and was shown to have zero exposure to either (which is actually pretty unusual…most horses in my area have had at least some exposure to EPM).

[Highflyer]

It’s a HUGE problem in this area, and all the cases I’ve seen have been pretty much normal after 1-2 doses of tet/ banamine.

[candico]

Not this particular disease, but although we were “on watch” for signs of EPSM for my gelding since his sister was confirmed via biopsy, it became most apparent the first time he got sick. A new horse came into the barn which brought in a mild flu for a few of the horses, but his symptoms included a huge tying up episode in which my first impression was that he had severely cast himself over night although no signs of a struggle. He was seriously crippled all over looking…
I also was able to notice more of the symptoms when he was back from the trainers and living with me since I could catch what he was looking like all day long.
BTW, a lot of trainers seem a bit stubborn about the EPSM symptoms as well as farriers. I find myself constantly having to remind about his “condition” and to please be more patient with my “special needs” horse.

[sheltona01]

My 19 year old TB has it this spring. We actually ended the oxytetracycline after 4 day because my horse was not reacting well. He just was not getting better so we ran a blood panel and the shots were affecting his kidneys. The Ehrlicia was gone. We then ran another blood panel a couple of weeks later to confirm it was gone.

He has never looked better in the last 4 years I have ridden him. I am getting him ready for a show in a couple of weeks and just this morning I was thinking “damm, he looks good!”

[FineAlready]

[QUOTE=candico;6328367]
Not this particular disease, but although we were “on watch” for signs of EPSM for my gelding since his sister was confirmed via biopsy, it became most apparent the first time he got sick. A new horse came into the barn which brought in a mild flu for a few of the horses, but his symptoms included a huge tying up episode in which my first impression was that he had severely cast himself over night although no signs of a struggle. He was seriously crippled all over looking…
I also was able to notice more of the symptoms when he was back from the trainers and living with me since I could catch what he was looking like all day long.
BTW, a lot of trainers seem a bit stubborn about the EPSM symptoms as well as farriers. I find myself constantly having to remind about his “condition” and to please be more patient with my “special needs” horse.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Candico. That’s kind of what I’m thinking might be the case…maybe he had latent PSSM or something and the symptoms started when his system became weakened from the anaplamosis.

Luckily, I’m in a barn where the BO and trainer are totally pro-horse and don’t question at all that something is wrong with him that isn’t just behavioral. He’s surrounded by really good people who appreciate horses for horses and not just for what they can do for us. And soon (hopefully sooner rather than later!) we will have a farrier who sees things this way as well.

[mlb722]

Both of my horses have had it. One has had it twice.

Both responded to 10 days of doxy tabs. Never saw any lasting effects.

Does sound more like a PSSM or EPSM issue…

[ChocoMare]

While you can do a muscle biopsy and have it sent off for testing, easiest is to just change the diet: low starch, no sugar, higher fat and Vitamin E. Give it time to work and see what happens. If the body changes, you have your answer. If not, there’s something more nefarious going on.

You can always email Dr. Beth Valentine directly from www.ruralheritage.com (Vet Clinic) She’ll gladly work with you to offer diet suggestions, etc.

[FineAlready]

[QUOTE=ChocoMare;6329974]
While you can do a muscle biopsy and have it sent off for testing, easiest is to just change the diet: low starch, no sugar, higher fat and Vitamin E. Give it time to work and see what happens. If the body changes, you have your answer. If not, there’s something more nefarious going on.

You can always email Dr. Beth Valentine directly from www.ruralheritage.com (Vet Clinic) She’ll gladly work with you to offer diet suggestions, etc.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, ChocoMare. This is pretty much what I am doing now. He is switching over to Triple Crown Low Starch as soon as my order arrives from the feed store, I’m supplementing him with vitamin E and selenium, and I’m adding oil to his feed (which he really hates, btw).

[ChocoMare]

Oh good… you can offer other forms of fat and maybe reduce the amount of liquid oil, which many horses do pull their nose up at. Try one cup of Cool Calories (yes, a cup… not the wee scoop you get. That’s a joke :lol:) Also BOSS and/or raw-in-the-shell peanuts.

[FineAlready]

[QUOTE=ChocoMare;6329994]
Oh good… you can offer other forms of fat and maybe reduce the amount of liquid oil, which many horses do pull their nose up at. Try one cup of Cool Calories (yes, a cup… not the wee scoop you get. That’s a joke :lol:) Also BOSS and/or raw-in-the-shell peanuts.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I think I will try the Cool Calories. With the oil, he just looks at me like, “What is this oily mess? Where is my grain? Why aren’t you serving me properly, slave girl? Bring me my usual meal forthwith [clap clap; motions me away].”

I can’t imagine him eating raw peanuts, but I suppose it is worth a shot!

[candico]

I use Teff pellets, but have used Timothy pellets in the past. I put about a pound in a bucket and then cover them with water and wait an hour - depending on the temp of the water and density of the pellets it can take less or more time. Super dense pellets drive me nuts, and if you have them in your area, Mountain Sunrise brand are perfect. I like it to get to a nice fluffy consistency which almost feels a bit dry. Then I mix in oil and supplements and depending on how picky, TC Senior or lite, or even oats but only two cups worth. Then the oil, 1.5 cups twice a day for a 16.3 chunky warmblood is barely detectable and the horse seems happy to get such a big meal without indulging on grain. If it is sloppy/oily I could never get them to eat it as what would happen with beet pulp or non soaked pellets. Also certain Vit E formulas seem to be less palatable.
I get the Canola oil in giant jugs at Smart & Final, one lasts him a month, and is about $30. Tried Cocasoya which smells delectable, but is more expensive with the shipping and my mare is sensitive to the soy…
Hope that helps!

[FineAlready]

Thanks Candico! I’m not sure if he would like soaked pellets…he’s a really good, non-picky eater normally (at one point, I had him eating 60 uncrushed pills twice a day in his dry pellets for an unrelated problem!), but he can be funny about texture of certain items. Worth a shot anyway.