This is a journal of the of the observations, symptoms and treatment of Titan as he fought EPM.
| DATE | OBSERVATIONS |
|---|---|
| Nov 21 | Titan was extremely sensitive when the girth was tightened to go on a ride. He appeared to be fine on the ride. The ride was approximately 2 hours. |
| Nov 23 | When cleaning out Titan's hooves it was apparent that one of his hind shoes was bent but it did not appear to affect the way he traveled. |
| Nov 27 | Titan went out for a 3 hour ride and had some trouble placing his hind legs. He took several missteps. |
| Nov 29 | The hind shoes were removed thinking that the missteps were from the bent shoes. |
| Nov 30 | Titan was having a lot of trouble with his gait in the rear. The assumption was made that he was a little sore from walking on the bent shoe. |
| Dec 4 | Titan spent this week just walking for physical therapy in the hope that if he was sore that he would recover with time and exercise now that the bent shoe was off. |
| Dec 7 | Titan is no better so Dr. Schuff DVM, was called to look at him. She said that what ever was wrong with him appeared to be neurological and had nothing to do with the shoe. Her preliminary diagnosis was EPM. The only way to be sure this is what he had was to do a spinal tap and send the fluid off to be tested. She called that night with information that Mid-Rivers Equine clinic was doing a drug test study and he could be treated there. |
| Dec 8 | A call was put in to Dr. Mrad at Mid-Rivers Equine clinic. Titan is looking worse. He has a hard time moving about the pasture. |
| Dec 9 | Another call was put in to Dr. Mrad. Titan spent some time lying in the pasture enjoying the sun and warm temperatures. |
| Dec 10 | A call was placed to Mid-Rivers Equine clinic stressing to them that Titan needs to be seen as soon as possible. He is getting weaker and walking is becoming more difficult for him. Dr. Mrad returned the call and an appointment was made for 2:30pm Friday afternoon. |
| Dec 11 | Titan's legs and tail were wrapped as a precaution so he doesn't hurt himself on the ride in the trailer. Titan arrives at Mid-Rivers at 2:30pm. Dr. Mrad watches Titan move, he is video taped and he undergoes a diagnostic screening. They also draw blood. He will stay until Sunday and will have a spinal tap. |
| Dec 13 | Titan is picked up at 2:00pm. Dr. Mrad discusses the drug treatment but stresses that the results from the spinal tap will have to be received before the drug can be administered. She will call with the results by Thursday. He has a lot of trouble getting into the trailer. He looks about the same. He has an easier time unloading and appears to be glad to be home. |
| Dec 14 | Titan is alert and his appetite is good. His gait appears to be getting worse and he is weak in the hindquarters. |
| Dec 15 | Titan is negotiating the pasture slowly, he is still alert, but he appears to have trouble keeping his head up. At 4:10pm an emergency call is received that Titan is down in the pasture. Three people help in trying to get him up. A call is placed to Dr. Mrad and she gives suggestions and offers to come down to help. Titan in given grain and water and allowed to rest for awhile. Dr. Mrad arrives and Titan is fitted with straps and a boom truck is used to hoist him to his feet. He doesn't make an effort to stand and at 9:00pm the decision is made to euthanize him. The protozoan parasite has done too much damage. |
