Category: alfalfa cubes

LSU Vet Med instrumental in identifying toxin affecting Louisiana horses

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LSU Vet Med worked with the FDA and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture

BATON ROUGE—The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine was instrumental in diagnosing and treating several horses in Louisiana infected with a suspected toxin. The investigation revealed a much wider problem, as the culprit was alfalfa cubes infected with Clostridium botulinum type C, which causes botulism. The cubes, which came from one source, were sold in several states, and horses in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico have reportedly become ill and many died as a result of the toxin.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by toxins released by a bacteria. That toxin then binds to nerves that affect muscles throughout the body and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. With Type C Botulism, the toxin is typically ingested from contaminated feeds and binds to nerve receptors; once this occurs, it cannot be reversed. If caught early, an anti-toxin can be used to keep free, unbound toxins from binding to the nerve receptors.

On December 3, 2022, a horse from a breeding farm in Vermilion Parish came to the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and was seen by the equine emergency service. A second horse arrived on December 4. Both horses presented with neurological issues and were tested for infectious agents, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile virus, herpes virus, and rabies. On December 5, more horses from the same farm arrived with the same symptoms. Ultimately, LSU saw 15 horses, while others were treated at the farm with approximately 20 horses in Louisiana affected.

The first horses were initially treated by Mustajab Mirza, DVM, DACVS, associate professor of equine surgery. Rose Baker, BVMS, DACVIM (LAIM), assistant professor of equine medicine, took over the care of the horses. On December 6, Matthew Welborn, DVM (LSU 1987), MPH, DACVPM, professor of food animal health maintenance at LSU Vet Med, and Christine Navarre, DVM (LSU 1990), DACVIM, professor of veterinary science, traveled to the farm to look for possible toxins. At this point, the suspicion was that the horses had been exposed to a toxin on the property, such as from toxic plants or spoiled food. Drs. Welborn and Navarre did not find an obvious source of contamination at that point and suggested additional testing of the feed. Based on these findings and the suspicions related to the toxin exposure, a request was then made to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF). Dr. Baker began working with Jonathan Roberts, DVM, director of the commercial feed program with LDAF, to determine the cause of the illness and its source. All of the affected horses in Louisiana came from the same breeding farm; however, it is possible that other horses in Louisana were affected and those horse owners attributed illness and/or death to another cause.

Dr. Roberts worked with the farm and with LSU to coordinate the testing of alfalfa cubes. Official samples were sent both to the FDA and the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, which returned a positive result for Clostridium botulinum type C. While UC Davis was testing the cubes, the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) at LSU Vet Med, along with Dr. Baker, tested additional samples from patients for Botulism. LADDL also performed necropsies on 12 horses with additional toxin testing to further investigate the cause of death.

LSU Vet Med has successfully treated five horses and sent them home and is still treating two horses, one of which is about to foal. These horses presented initially on an emergency basis and were triaged. Due to the herd outbreak concerns, multiple diagnostic tests and intensive nursing care were required immediately. Taking care of these horses required round-the-clock care, and a dedicated nursing staff and diligent care provided by veterinary students were critical in giving every one of these patients the best chance possible.

On December 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about recalled lots of alfalfa cubes that appear to have caused illness and death in horses; at that time, the FDA reported that horses in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado have shown neurological signs that may be related to this issue. If you believe that your horse has been affected, please contact your veterinarian immediately or the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 225-578-9500.

On January 5, 2023, the LDAF sent out an advisory stating the cause of the illness and death was confirmed to be botulism. The quick resolution of this issue would not have been possible without the combined efforts of farm owners and staff, LSU Vet Med, LADDL, LDAF, UC Davis, and the FDA.

Information on what to do as a horse owner or how to report a horse illness

Read the FDA Advisory

Read LDAF update from January 5, 2023

About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.

 

FDA Confirms Botulism Found In Alfalfa Cubes Tied To Deaths Of Nearly 50 Horses

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The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF), in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), has confirmed the presence of Clostridium botulinum type C in alfalfa hay cubes linked to the death of at least 20 horses in Louisiana. This incident, which has evolved into a multi-state epizootic of Equine Botulism linked to the same alfalfa hay cubes, has also been connected to at least 28 similar horse deaths in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado, with many other horses becoming clinically ill.

Equine Botulism is a condition caused from a bacterial toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. In this incident, the condition was likely caused from direct ingestion of the toxin produced by the vegetative bacteria through contamination of the alfalfa hay cubes.

The FDA began their investigation, in conjunction with state departments, after reports that horses in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas showed neurologic symptoms consistent with botulism. During LDAF’s investigation, LDAF Investigators received information of possible alfalfa hay cube adulteration with animal remains. LDAF Investigators subsequently confirmed the presence of animal remains in an unopened 50 lb. bag of “Top of the Rockies Alfalfa Horse Cubes” (Lot # 111422), produced by Manzanola Feeds LLC, a feed manufacturing firm in Manzanola, CO. This finding indicated that material from an animal or animals may have been incorporated into the cubes during alfalfa harvesting. Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism, is commonly present in decaying animal carcasses.

 

Read Paulick Report Article

FDA Cautions Horse Owners Not to Feed Recalled Lots of Top of the Rockies Alfalfa Cubes due to Reports of Illness and Death

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LSU Vet Med is working with the FDA and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture

BATON ROUGE—On December 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about recalled lots of alfalfa cubes that appear to have caused illness and death in horses; at this time, the FDA reports that horses in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado have shown neurological signs that may be related to this issue. The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is working with the FDA and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) to investigate this issue and treat some of the affected horses.

At this time, the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (LADDL) at LSU Vet Med has conducted necropsies on 12 horses. Testing of some of the alfalfa cubes and tissues from those horses is being conducted by the diagnostic lab at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

LSU Vet Med cannot comment on its patients due to patient privacy laws, but Rose Baker, BVMS, DACVIM, assistant professor of equine medicine, is treating some horses with neurological signs believed to be related to this issue. If information becomes available that affects horse health, LSU Vet Med will work with the FDA and LDAF on advisories for the public. Dr. Baker is working with both of these agencies to investigate the cause and protect horses.

If you believe that your horse has been affected, please contact your veterinarian immediately or the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 225-578-9500.

For more information on what to do as a horse owner or how to report a horse illness, visit https://www.ldaf.state.la.us/news/fda-cautions-horse-owners-not-to-feed-recalled-lots-of-top-of-the-rockies-alfalfa-cubes-due-to-reports-of-illness-and-death/.

Read the FDA Advisory

Here are a few facts issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today (link to complete advisory above):

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is cautioning horse owners not to feed Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622.
  • These alfalfa cubes have been recalled by Manzanola Feeds of Manzanola, CO, which distributes products directly to feed stores and co-ops in 10 states. Further distribution is possible, so it’s important to check the date codes if you have these products.
  • Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes are sold in white and tan plastic 50-pound bags with green labeling. The date codes are on the front of the package.
  • If you have Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with these date codes, or you can’t be sure of the date code of the products you have, throw them away in a secure container and follow the handling and cleaning instructions below.
  • FDA is aware of at least 98 horses in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas who showed neurologic symptoms. At least 45 of these horses have died or were euthanized due to declining health.
  • The symptoms reported are consistent with botulism, and while further testing is underway to pinpoint the cause of the horse illnesses, horse owners and handlers should take precautions to protect human and animal health.
  • Immediately consult a veterinarian if your horse ate this product and shows signs of neurologic illness, such as muscle tremors, difficulty eating or swallowing, difficulty standing, or collapse.

About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.