Posted on 10/12/2004 4:58:57 PM PDT by ambrose
Posted on Tue, Oct. 05, 2004
Officials investigate why 11 horses suddenly died
Associated Press
MADELIA, Minn. - Veterinarians and university researchers are still trying to determine why 11 of Ann Hoppe's 32 horses suddenly died last week.
"That's the hardest part," Hoppe said. "The (veterinarians) were just absolutely dumbfounded. ... They thought they would find obvious signs when they got into the autopsy. They haven't found that yet."
On Sept. 27, three of Hoppe's horses became ill. Veterinarians from New Ulm couldn't determine the cause of the sickness. The next day, those horses and eight others died. The vets concluded that some kind of poison was responsible because of the quick onset of symptoms.
Hoppe said the veterinarians suggested white snakeroot as a possible culprit, but other officials aren't so sure.
White snakeroot is a toxic plant that is abundant in the area, primarily in ditches and wooded areas, said Bob Beck, regional naturalist with the Department of Natural Resources. The plant can be lethal to livestock, but most animals know to stay away from it, Beck said.
White snakeroot has been growing in Hoppe's pastures for years. She's even seen her horses nibble at it. But because none had exhibited symptoms of poisoning from the plant in the past - such as trembling, sweating, depression, heart failure or jaundice - Hoppe is skeptical that snakeroot is to blame.
"I remember this plant since I was a little kid," she said. "I never was told it was dangerous."
Doctors at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory aren't sure snakeroot is the cause, Hoppe said. After completing an autopsy, doctors have ruled out many causes, including herbicides and pesticides. White snakeroot hasn't been ruled out entirely, she said.
The stomach and some other parts of the autopsied horse have been sent to the University of Michigan for a second opinion, she said.
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Ping, different set of horse deaths.
They should investigate the Kerry Campaign. I noticed he was wearing a different face in the Friday debate.
First the S. Africa article...and then this. Weird coincidence.
Have you ever been told to keep your horses away from white snakeroot?
My mind is blank today.
What was the threat to the horses? I know there was one a few months ago.
The rat poison, is the same poison as has been used in the schools in China, per Promedmail.org
I don't own horses today, but if I did, you might find that they would get even with you for comparing them to the kerry thing.
Said the above with a smile, but also knowing that "OLD Katie" would have gotten even with you. Sooner or later.
>>>>What was the threat to the horses? I know there was one a few months ago.
There were lots of references to horses. We were always guessing as to what it meant. One thing that always bothered me was that Aquaduct was very close to the airport and EgyptAir lands there.
We had spoken about the use of horse trailers. And we speculated about the horses being used to smuggle drugs.
I also know there is a very large indoor flea market there too and many immigrants run the kiosks. All cash. All 'new product' that comes from....rumor is TABA Import Export Company.
Back around the time of the OK bombing, there were mysterious horse deaths too.
I don't think we have it here.
22. WHITE SNAKEROOT, WHITE SANICLE, RICHWEED
It's silly to me that the woman has KNOWN the stuff was toxic and had it in her pasture "for years". Noxious weed control is one of the things you just ~do~. Here in Washington, we battle Tansy and Bracken fern....
What on earth are you two talking about? :~D
Looks she didn't know. I would like to know more about these 32 horses. Was she a breeder or what?
Good question.... I wonder if we'll ever get the follow up story when the autopsies are done....
What kind of feed do they eat? Mixed locally? Where's it kept? Any rain lately? Change in feed or hay recently? What were the symptoms of the ones who got sick? Any bloodwork done on the sick ones? On any meds? What else is in the pasture? I'd sure scour it because it does sound like a toxicity problem. Recently treated with pesticides (the pasture or a field nearby)? If it's an infectious organism, it's pretty hot to kill that quickly.
Could be the white snakeroot. I'd have thought that there might be something left in the stomachs of the horses that could give a clue. Snakeroot poisening can be cummulative though and it can also kill w/in 1-3 days. I would like to see stomach contents analyzed. Very interesting case. Very sorry about the loss of the horses.
Sorry, it helps to read the whole thing! I see they've ruled out pesticides and have sent samples of stomach contents and organs to Michigan. Why Michigan? There's no veterinary school there. Interesting.
I might get more info on it since I'm a member of AAEP and get morbidity/mortality report updates when something weird shows up. If I do, I'll let you know.
Great.... thanks!
We lost a couple of horses here in my area this summer. It was traced to the blister bug/beetle in hay coming in from California. Can't imagine she had California hay though.
At this time of year, frost on the wild cherries or chokecherries can cause the leaves to produce cyanide..
http://web.vet.cornell.edu/CVM/HANDOUTS/plants/cyanide.html
*keep off dangerous crops if frost or too young or crop damage or animals hungry - feed hay before turn out
*don't leave cherry branches in field
Probably was sent to the equine department of the veterinary school of Michigan State University in Lansing..not UM..
Probably was sent to the equine department of the veterinary school of Michigan State University in Lansing..not UM..
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