As I said previously, the idea of Chance collapsing and no one being there terrifies me. Vet4 is shipping me the Protazil and I am trying to find another vet to come and administer the DMSO before beginning treatment.  DMSO typically helps the Protazil adhere better, thus making the treatment more effective.

EPM: Is DMSO the Cure for Treatment Issues?

By Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc Aug 3, 2009

New research on treating horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) has found dissolving toltrazuril sulfone, commercially known as ponazuril, in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) instead of water prior to oral administration in horses increases the bioavailability by three times and achieves therapeutic levels in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Ponazuril and related triazine-based antiprotozoal agents used to treat horses with EPM are highly lipid (fat) soluble. As a result, these agents dissolve poorly in the gastrointestinal systemand are therefore poorly absorbed.

Poor drug absorption results in variable drug concentrations in the bloodstream, which translates into a variable therapeutic effect in the treated horse, explained Levent Dirikolu, DVM, PhD, from the Department of Veterinary Biosciences at the University of Illinois, and co-researchers from the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Natural resources Institute.

I finally found a vet who was able to come to the farm to meet Chance and administer other medications.

Vet6 felt that DMSO wasn’t necessary and that Chance would be fine. I called Vet4, explained the situation, and he advised beginning Chance on 1/2 a dose of Protazil for the first couple days in conjunction with a mild anti-inflammatory.

So, that is what we did. I had also read that Vit E (only in its all natural form) was helpful during treatment, along with Ulcer Guard to keep his stomach safe from the medications.

I called 5 different vets and no one has what I was looking for in stock. I finally found it in Chantilly!