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Toxigenic Endophyte –Infected Tall Fescue and Ergot Alkaloids
“Fescue toxicosis” and reproductive ergotism present identical toxidromes in late-gestational mares and, likely, other equids. Both toxic syndromes are caused by ergopeptine alkaloids (EPAs) of fungal origin, and they are collectively referred to as equine ergopeptine alkaloid toxicosis (EEPAT). EPAs are produced by either a toxigenic endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala) in tall fescue and/or a nonendophytic fungus (Claviceps purpurea), infecting small grains and grasses. EEPAT can cause hypoprolactinemia-induced agalactia/dysgalactia, prolonged gestation, dystocia, and other reproductive abn ormalities in mares, as well ...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - January 27, 2024 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tim J. Evans, Megan C. Romano Source Type: research

“… and Toxic”
Horses and other equids, like any other species, can be exposed to a variety of toxic substances. The true incidence of poisoning is difficult to estimate, and cases are likely underreported because there is no centralized mandatory reporting mechanism for poisoning in veterinary species. Such estimates rely on cases reported to poison control centers (eg, Pet Poison Helpline and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center) or presented to referral hospitals. Underreporting is likely more severe in equines than in small animals, because equine practitioners and owners are less likely to call a poison control center than small anima...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - January 12, 2024 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Megan C. Romano Tags: Preface Source Type: research

Range and Pasture Plants Likely to Poison Horses
Range and pasture toxic plants can poison horses. Many of these plants are noxious weeds that can dominate plant populations and replace healthy forages. Poisoning is often difficult to diagnose as the resulting plant-induced disease is similar to other infectious, toxic, and nutritional diseases. Identifying potentially problem plants, and observing what plants horses are eating, is essential in determining the risk of poisoning. If the risk is significant, it can drive management to invest in strategies to avoid exposure, animal disease, and suffering. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - January 5, 2024 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Bryan L. Stegelmeier, T. Zane Davis Source Type: research

Plants Causing Toxic Myopathies
Boxelder and sycamore maple contain hypoglycin A (HGA), the toxic metabolite of which, MCPA-CoA, inhibits fatty acid β-oxidation, causing seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM) or atypical myopathy (AM), respectively. White snakeroot and rayless goldenrod contain multiple benzofuran ketones (BFKs). The identity/toxicity of BFKs appear variable, possibly involving interactions between toxins/toxic metabolites, but ultima tely inhibit cellular energy metabolism. Unthrifty horses grazing sparse pastures during the fall appear predisposed to these plant-associated, frequently fatal, toxic myopathies. Toxidromes are characterized by ...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - December 26, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Beatrice Sponseller, Tim Evans Source Type: research

Investigative and Diagnostic Toxicology and Feed-Related Outbreaks
Incidences of feed contamination are rare even though enormous amounts of animal feed are manufactured. However, there are still some cases of feed –related illness in horses. Veterinarians play a crucial role in recognizing and mitigating these events and in assessing the severity of risks. Due to these risks, proper reporting and consultation with government and state agencies are crucial. Accurate diagnosis and identification of the source of poisoning are promising when a thorough case workup is performed and agencies such as veterinary diagnostic laboratories and the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veteri...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - December 26, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Stephen B. Hooser Source Type: research

Equine Mycotoxins
The main mycotoxins involved in adverse equine health issues are aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, and probably ergovaline (fescue grass endophyte toxicosis). Most exposures are through contaminated grains and grain byproducts, although grasses and hays can contain mycotoxins. Clinical signs are often nonspecific and include feed refusal, colic, diarrhea, and liver damage but can be dramatic with neurologic signs associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia and tremorgens. Specific antidotes for mycotoxicosis are rare, and treatment involves stopping the use of contaminated feed, switching to a “clean” feed sourc...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - December 7, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Steve Ensley, Michelle Mostrom Source Type: research

Toxic Garden and Landscaping Plants
Many popular ornamental shrubs are not only beautiful but also toxic when ingested in sufficient quantities. Common toxic landscaping shrubs in North America include yew (Taxus spp), oleander (Nerium oleander), and rhododendrons and azaleas (Rhododendron spp). Horses are often exposed when plant trimmings are placed within reach or discarded in pastures. Occasionally clippings or fallen leaves contaminate hay. Some plants are unpalatable unless dried and mixed with hay or lawn clippings but others are ingested more readily. In many cases, disease can be severe and treatment unrewarding; therefore, client education is criti...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - December 6, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Megan C. Romano Source Type: research

Plants that Contaminate Feed and Forage and Poison Horses
Many toxic plants are unpalatable to horses and are not eaten when alternative forage is available. However, when such plants contaminate prepared or baled feed and forage, herd competition and improved palatability can alter acceptance and thereby cause equine plant poisonings. Dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid –containing plants; cocklebur; Salvia reflexa; kleingrass, switchgrass, and other saponin-containing grasses; jimson weed, black henbane, and other tropane alkaloid–containing plants; lantana; Cassia spp and other myotoxic plants; castor bean; cyanogenic glycoside–containing plants; thiaminase -containing plants;...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - December 6, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Bryan L. Stegelmeier, T. Zane Davis Source Type: research

Blue Green Algae
Blue green algae cyanotoxins have become increasingly more prevalent due to environmental, industrial, and agricultural changes that promote their growth into harmful algal blooms. Animals are usually exposed via water used for drinking or bathing, though specific cases related to equines are very limited. The toxic dose for horses has not been determined, and currently only experimental data in other animals can be relied upon to aid in case interpretation and treatment. Treatment is mostly limited to supportive care, and preventative control methods to limit exposures are more likely to aid in animal health until more re...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - November 23, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Scott Fritz, Savannah Charnas, Steve Ensley Source Type: research

Diagnostic Pathology of Equine Toxicoses
This article is intended to highlight toxicosis-associated pathology in horses that might be observed by a clinician in the living animal and at gross necropsy. When the clinician is aware of these pathologic changes (particularly when coupled with a suggestive environmental or herd history), then collaboration with a diagnostic laboratory can begin to help identify specific toxicants. Proper sampling and communication with the diagnostic laboratory will vastly improve the likelihood of a specific diagnosis; postmortem sampling and specimen submission are reviewed in the last section of this article. (Source: Veterinary Cl...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - November 14, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Lynne Cassone Source Type: research

Industrial and Agricultural Toxicants
This article provides an overview of several agricultural and industrial toxicants that are most likely to be encountered by horses. Overviews include brief backgrounds of the agents in question, potential sources of intoxication, mechanisms of action, clinical signs, lesions, diagnostic considerations, and treatment options. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - November 13, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Scott Radke, Emily Finley Source Type: research

Therapeutic Medications and Illicit Medications and Supplements
This article provides information on the toxicity of some therapeutic drugs, illicit drugs, and supplements. Medications in the therapeutic section are grouped into antibiotics, antipsychotic agents, bronchodilators, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and sedatives/tranquilizers. The section on illicit drugs and supplements provides information on more specific medications including commonly used or abused human medications and a few that are available only from Internet compounding pharmacies. Many drugs and supplements can be either therapeutic or illicit depending on the dosage and ultimate use of the horse....
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - November 9, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Lynn Rolland Hovda Source Type: research

Pyrogallol Toxicosis in Horses
Plants in the maple genus, Acer, and pistachio genus, Pistacia, have been reported to cause acute hemolysis in horses. The cause of hemolysis seems to be metabolism of gallic acids to the potent oxidant pyrogallol by enteric bacteria of the horse. Diagnosis is often tentative and circumstantial. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and can include detoxification, fluid and electrolyte therapy, supplemental oxygen, and pain control. Corticosteroid and antioxidant therapies do not improve prognosis. Prognosis is guarded to poor but horses that survive 6  days postexposure are expected to recover. (Source: Veterinary Clin...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - November 1, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Karyn Bischoff Source Type: research

Use of Biologic and Regenerative Therapies in Equine Practice
VETERINARY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA: EQUINE PRACTICE (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - October 24, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Lauren V. Schnabel Source Type: research

Copyright
Elsevier (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice - October 24, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research