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Acute arsenic toxicosis in five horses
L W Pace1, S E Turnquist, S W Casteel
1Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Columbia, MO 65205, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Acute arsenic poisoning in horses, caused by contaminated feed, led to rapid death and severe gastrointestinal lesions. Diagnosis was confirmed by high arsenic levels in tissues and feed, indicating lead arsenate or arsenite toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Toxicology
- Equine Pathology
Background:
- Arsenic poisoning is a significant concern in livestock.
- Acute toxicity can manifest with severe clinical signs and high mortality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of acute arsenic toxicosis in horses.
- To identify the source and toxic agent responsible for the deaths.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination and necropsy of affected horses.
- Histopathological examination of gastrointestinal tissues.
- Toxicological analysis of liver, kidney, and feed samples for arsenic and lead.
Main Results:
- Five horses presented with acute signs including diarrhea, salivation, tremors, ataxia, and depression, with four deaths within 24 hours.
- Necropsy revealed gastric hyperemia, fluid-filled intestines, and severe cecal and colonic mucosal ulcers.
- High arsenic concentrations (>3,000 ppm) in pasture feed and elevated levels in liver (11.0-14.0 ppm) and kidney (108 ppm) confirmed arsenic toxicosis, consistent with lead arsenate or arsenite poisoning.
Conclusions:
- Acute arsenic toxicosis, likely from contaminated feed, caused rapid mortality in horses.
- Prompt toxicological analysis is crucial for diagnosing and confirming arsenic poisoning in equine cases.