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RE: Appaloosa Dies after eating beetle infested Alfalfa
Posted by: Shawn Date posted: 05/16/2009 01:55:28 PM |
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After further investigation it was discovered that the Appaloosa had ingested Blister Beetles. These beetles are very toxic to horses and in this case were deadly. Blister beetles are ¾- to 1¼-inch-long,
narrow-bodied, broad-headed insects that may be
found in alfalfa hay originating from certain parts
of the United States.
As little as 25 ingested beetles may be toxic to
an average-size horse. One beetle alone is not
enough to cause toxicity in a horse.
Blister beetle larvae feed on grasshopper egg
pods in the soil of alfalfa fields, usually in the
western United States (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas,
Colorado, etc.) but can be found in many states
from Florida to Arizona and as far north as South
Dakota. The larvae overwinter, mature, then feed
in groups on flowering alfalfa.
During the hay crimping process, the beetles
are killed and remain in the hay as it is baled. The
beetles remain toxic even after they are crushed
and killed. Since the beetles gather in groups or
swarms, large numbers can occur in concentrated
clusters in a field. The beetles are usually found
in focal areas of the hay (not spread out
throughout all of the bales).
If your horse happens to eat that specific flake
of hay, then the chances of that horse being
adversely affected are high.
Cantharidin is the poisonous substance
present in blister beetles. It is comparable to
cyanide and strychnine in toxicity.
Horses seem to be more sensitive to blister
beetle toxicity compared to sheep or cattle,
although comparable doses can cause problems.
Curing hay does not decrease the level of
toxicity in blister beetles. Cantharidin is absorbed
through the intestine and can cause symptoms
such as inflammation, colic, straining, elevated
temperature, depression, kidney failure, increased
heart rate and respiration, dehydration, sweating
and diarrhea.
There is frequent urination during the first 24
hours after ingestion, accompanied by
inflammation of the urinary tract. This irritation
may also result in secondary infection and
bleeding.
In addition, calcium levels in horses may be
drastically lowered, and heart muscle tissues may
be destroyed.
Animals that recover from the intestinal
damage may develop complications such as
laminitis (founder) or other systemic infections.
Since animals can die within 72 hours, it is
imperative to contact a veterinarian as soon as
blister beetle poisoning is suspected.
The concentration of cantharidin does vary
some from species to species of blister beetle.
Striped blister beetles seem to be the most toxic.
If a horse is showing signs of blister beetle
toxicity, a veterinarian should examine the horse,
determine the risk of blister beetle ingestion and
administer appropriate therapy. Confirmation of
cantharidin toxicity requires stomach contents or
urine levels of cantharadin. |
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