Earlier this week, our two vets came back and took new blood samples of Arwen and Sahara, to see how the equine piroplasmosis treatment had turned out. We felt a change this past weekend, when Ali told us that the girls had given him a hard time earlier in the morning because they were so full of energy! Anette and I took them later in the afternoon, and sure enough, both felt strong and were very forward.

Yesterday, the results of the blood samples came back with very positive news indeed: the treatment had worked and the horses had normal parasite levels again. Where approximately a 100% of Arwen’s red blood cells were under attack just some ten days ago, she now had less than 10% parasite contamination.

Because we reside in an endemic EP area, it would be fatal to clear our girls of all EP parasites, as they would then lose their immunity. Like I said in previously, equine piroplasmosis is to animals what malaria is to humans, and there is so much of it, everywhere. Most of the time, animals born to the environment develop their own antibodies, which works well unless some other disease or stress comes along. What happens next is that we will take schedules blood samples and monitor the level of parasites in their system, so that it never goes above the 10% level. We will also be on the lookout for any change of temperament or signs of fatigue or loss of appetite.

Although I was dreaming of life without EP a couple of days ago, I am so glad our girls are back to normal again and am looking forward to a weekend spent riding in the bush!