THE Random Chat Thread - AKA "The RCT" - No shirt or shoes required - Open 24 / 7

[oldmxrat]

Good afternoon.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Good afternoon from northeastern Oregon, Union County! 81F today. Supposed toget warmer later this week.

 

[pepperj]

Got some brownie bonus points today.

 

[pepperj]

So I go to the garden and pick up the Stihl combie unit to change the head.
6 ticks on the exhaust grill. Then another on the gas can. Go to the shop another on a 5 gallon container.
Love squashing them.🤣

 

[DizzyDigger]

It's 1am, so that means Good Morning all....

So I go to the garden and pick up the Stihl combie unit to change the head.
6 ticks on the exhaust grill. Then another on the gas can. Go to the shop another on a 5 gallon container.
Love squashing them.🤣

Got any possums up there? If not, maybe you can rent a couple..they eat ticks
like popcorn..

 

[pepperj]

Morning everyone

 

[robertk]

Got any possums up there? If not, maybe you can rent a couple..

Rent-A-Possum. What a concept.

 

[ToddsPoint]

So I go to the garden and pick up the Stihl combie unit to change the head.
6 ticks on the exhaust grill. Then another on the gas can. Go to the shop another on a 5 gallon container.
Love squashing them.🤣

Good morning!☕️ Got nailed by two ticks last week. One was a lone star. That’s the alpha-gel red meat disease tick. Wasn’t on me long and I got some doxycycline. Then I pulled a seed tick off. Damn things! No alpha-gel symptoms so far. Then yesterday mowing I got some chigger bites. Must have brushed up against some bushes. It’s making me paranoid to go outside!😝

 

[robertk]

Good morning all. Rained like crazy yesterday and overnight -- close to five inches total. Everything is soup again.

Between the storms, a squirrel went nuts in a planter barrel outside. (Edit: Sorry about the TV audio in the background. I didn't even think about that, or would have replaced it with silly music or something.)

 

[pepperj]

Good morning all. Rained like crazy yesterday and overnight -- close to five inches total. Everything is soup again.

Between the storms, a squirrel went nuts in a planter barrel outside.

Having a bath. Either for bug control or taking the excess oil the coat.

 

[newnan man]

Good morning folks. Sunrise this morning, Indialantic Beach.

 

[Gare]

Rent-A-Possum. What a concept.

If you rent one and it comes to my barn it will DIE !~!!!

 

[Gare]

good morning everyone

 

[oldmxrat]

Good morning

 

[releventchair]

Good morning!☕️ Got nailed by two ticks last week. One was a lone star. That’s the alpha-gel red meat disease tick. Wasn’t on me long and I got some doxycycline. Then I pulled a seed tick off. Damn things! No alpha-gel symptoms so far. Then yesterday mowing I got some chigger bites. Must have brushed up against some bushes. It’s making me paranoid to go outside!😝

I can't hardly tolerate chigger bites!

 

[releventchair]

Good morning all. Rained like crazy yesterday and overnight -- close to five inches total. Everything is soup again.

Between the storms, a squirrel went nuts in a planter barrel outside. (Edit: Sorry about the TV audio in the background. I didn't even think about that, or would have replaced it with silly music or something.)

Did a cat poop in the barrel prior?

 

[releventchair]

Mornin all.

 

[Gare]

If you rent one and it comes to my barn it will DIE !~!!!

Let me explain. Opossums carry a disease called EPM it is VERY DEADLY to horses. The poop on hay and other things in the barn. DSo i eliminate them.

 

[Gare]

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EPM is a neurologic disease in horses caused by protozoal parasites, primarily Sarcocystis neurona, leading to inflammation of the central nervous system and a wide range of neurological signs.​

Causes and Transmission​

EPM is caused by protozoal parasites, most commonly Sarcocystis neurona and, less frequently, Neospora hughesi horseeducationonline.com+2. Horses become infected by ingesting feed, hay, or water contaminated with opossum feces containing infective sporocysts horseeducationonline.com+1. Opossums are the definitive host, while intermediate hosts include raccoons, skunks, cats, armadillos, and sea otters The Vet Expert. Horses are dead-end hosts and cannot transmit the disease to other horses umn.edu+1.

Clinical Signs​

EPM affects the brain and spinal cord, producing neurological symptoms that vary depending on the region affected horseeducationonline.com+1. Common signs include:

• Incoordination and ataxia, often worse on one side of the body umn.edu+1
• Muscle atrophy, particularly asymmetric along the topline, hindquarters, or face umn.edu+1
• Weakness or stumbling, especially on slopes or when the head is raised umn.edu
• Facial drooping, difficulty swallowing, head tilt, or abnormal posture umn.edu+1
• Seizures, abnormal sweating, or loss of sensation in affected areas umn.edu
  Early detection is critical, as subtle changes like toe dragging, uneven gait, or slight asymmetry may indicate the onset of EPM horseeducationonline.com.

Diagnosis​

Diagnosis involves a thorough neurologic examination and targeted testing to distinguish EPM from other neurologic diseases UC Davis. Veterinarians may use blood or cerebrospinal fluid tests to detect antibodies against the parasites, combined with clinical signs and observation of progression horseeducationonline.com+1.

Treatment​

Treatment is veterinarian-directed and typically involves antiprotozoal medications such as:

• Ponazuril (Marquis), administered daily for 28 days
• Protazil, given with feed for 28 days
• Sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine (ReBalance), administered for 90–270 days The Vet Expert
  Supportive care may include anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and vitamin E supplementation. Early intervention improves recovery outcomes horseeducationonline.com+1.

Prevention​

Preventive measures focus on reducing exposure to opossum feces:

• Store feed in animal-proof containers and protect hay from wildlife
• Maintain clean water sources and stable areas
• Control rodents and discourage opossum visits
• Properly dispose of dead animals and spilled feed horseeducationonline.com+2

Epidemiology​

EPM is most prevalent in North America, particularly in areas with high opossum populations UC Davis. While 50–90% of horses may be exposed, fewer than 1% develop clinical disease UC Davis. Younger horses, males, and certain breeds (Standardbreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods) are at higher risk madbarn.com.

Key Takeaway​

EPM is a serious neurologic disease that can be life-threatening if untreated. Recognizing early signs, seeking prompt veterinary care, and implementing preventive measures are essential for protecting horses from this debilitating condition horseeducationonline.com+1.

 

[Evan in CA]

Good morning everybody it’s Sunday funday again, maybe I can get another Walker half dollar. I got 4 this year so far.