Feed mixing error becomes fatal for horses
A horse and three ponies have died and several other equids have been temporarily paralyzed following the ingestion of contaminated feed in French Guiana (a department of France located on the northern edge of South America), according to the Departmental Director of Veterinary Services in Cayenne.
Arnaud Martrenchar, DVM, PhD, said that animals in two separate locations
suffered “violent symptoms” of paralysis and hepatitis within 24 hours of eating
a commercial supplement from a single common bag. The feed had been accidentally
contaminated with salinomycin, an ionophore which is often added to poultry
feed. The feed manufacturing company, Le Gouessant, based in the North West of France, announced the
discovery of their error in late November.
Jean-Charles Oisel, head of
communications at Le Gouessant, explained that factory workers had confused the
salinomycin additive, coded HYPER 605 SA, with the proper additive, coded HYPER
605. However, serum analyses of the affected equids, performed at the Institut
Pasteur in Paris, also revealed the presence of type D botulinum toxins,
suggesting a likely combination of factors leading to the animals’ reactions.
All fifteen tons of the French
Guiana batch of Le Gouessant horse feed were immediately recalled and destroyed.
Related news:
Contaminated corn fatal for horses
Bad hay
affects horse health
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