Protozoal myeloencephalitis in foals: Case report

Abstract

Equine protozoan myeloencephalitis is considered a neurological disease of importance. The protozoan that causes the disease is Sarcocystis neurona and is transmitted to horses via the oro-fecal route through the waste of the definitive hosts, the possums (Didelphis virginiana and Didelphis albiventris). The disease causes neurological symptoms in horses due to the direct action of the parasite on the nervous tissue, causing secondary inflammatory response and clinical signs such as asymmetric muscle atrophy, muscle weakness, motor incoordination resulting from decreased proprioception. The signs of the disease may vary, as it will depend on the location of the lesion (brain, cerebellum or even spinal cord). Two horses with the disease attended the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Mato Grosso. The treatment of choice was carried out using toltrazuril, sulfa / trimethoprim, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, thiocolchicoside and vitamin E and selenium. However, the best form of prevention is to avoid contamination of the food by the definitive host.