AAEP Publishes Lawsonia intracellularis (Equine Proliferative Enteropathy) Guidelines

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has published on its website comprehensive guidelines to assist veterinarians with clinical signs, risk factors, treatment and other considerations associated with Lawsonia intracellularis (equine proliferative enteropathy), an enteric disease typically seen in weanling and yearling horses during the fall and early winter in North America.

Equine proliferative enteropathy is caused by the obligate, intracellular bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis, which thrives in environments with low oxygen concentrations such as feces. Among the clinical signs of EPE are anorexia, rapid weight loss, dependent edema, depression, rough hair coat, fever, colic and diarrhea. Approximately 5% of exposed horses will develop clinical disease and an additional 5% will develop subclinical disease, manifest as sub-normal weight gain.

Uncomplicated cases of EPE have a high survival rate. Treatment consists of antimicrobial therapy and supportive care such as intravenous fluids. A standard time course of treatment, based on the antimicrobial selected, is typically sufficient. Affected horses should be isolated for seven days following the start of treatment to ensure the complete cessation of shedding.

The guidelines were co-authored by Allen Page, DVM, Ph.D., scientist/veterinarian at the University of Kentucky’s Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, and Rebecca Ruby, MSc, BVSc, DACVP, DACVIM-LAIM, assistant professor at the University of Kentucky’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The guidelines were reviewed and approved by the AAEP’s Infectious Disease Committee and board of directors.

“Equine proliferative enteropathy continues to be an issue for the horse industry,” said Dr. Page. “With these new AAEP guidelines, Dr. Ruby and I hope the information will help veterinarians appropriately diagnose and treat this unusual disease.”

View the Lawsonia intracellularius (EPE) Guidelines or save them to your mobile device at https://aaep.org/document/equine-proliferative-enteropathy-guidelines.

About AAEP

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.