Acute and long-term cardiomyopathy and delayed neurotoxicity after accidental lasalocid poisoning in horses.
Abstract: Horses are extremely susceptible to ionophore intoxication. Although numerous reports are available regarding monensin, little is known about lasalocid toxicity. Objective: To describe accidental lasalocid poisoning on a farm in Belgium. Methods: Eighty-one horses, of which 14 demonstrated clinical signs from day 0-21 after being fed a new concentrate batch. One horse died on day 20 and another on day 27. Methods: The most severe cases (n = 7), admitted to the clinic on day 29-46, underwent cardiac examination and blood biochemical analysis, including determination of plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) at admission and during follow-up. On day 57-70, cardiac examination, cTnI determination or both were undertaken on 72 remaining horses. Results: Short-term effects of lasalocid intoxication included inappetance, lethargy, sweating, and muscular weakness. All 7 horses admitted to the clinic demonstrated signs of myocardial degeneration such as increased cTnI, dysrhythmia and reduced myocardial contractility. Four horses developed ataxia on day 40-50. Five horses died or were euthanized on day 30-370, 2 horses recovered fully and returned to previous athletic use. None of the 72 remaining horses exhibited clinical signs between day 57-70, but 34 had dysrhythmia and 13 had increased cTnI concentrations. After a period of rest, all horses returned to their previous work. Lasalocid was detected in hepatic tissue of 2 necropsied horses. Conclusions: Lasalocid intoxication induced myocardial and neurological damage. Although uncommon, this should be included as differential diagnosis for unexplained inappetance, signs of depression, cardiomyopathy, and ataxia in horses.
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2012-04-21 PubMed ID: 22519686DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00933.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the short and long-term effects of accidental lasalocid poison on horses, documenting symptoms and recovery rates.
Study Context and Objective
- Lasalocid is a type of ionophore, which can be toxic to horses.
- Previous studies have focused on the toxicity of another ionophone, monensin.
- The aim of this particular study was to understand the impact and aftermath of accidental lasalocid poisoning amongst a group of horses on a Belgian farm.
Research Methodology
- A total of 81 horses were exposed to a new feed concentrate containing lasalocid.
- Fourteen of these horses showed clear signs of toxicity between day 0 and day 21.
- Seven of the most severe cases were admitted to a clinic where blood work and heart examinations were conducted. Further tests took place during a follow-up session.
- A final test, involving both heart examinations and blood work, was conducted on the remaining 72 horses between day 57 and day 70 of the study.
Results of the Study
- The initial symptoms of lasalocid poisoning, observed in the 14 affected horses, included lack of appetite, laziness, excessive sweating, and muscle weakness.
- Heart-related symptoms, such as elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels, heart rhythm disorders (dysrhythmia), and reduced heart muscle contractions, were observed in all seven severe cases investigated at the clinic.
- Ataxia, a condition affecting coordination, was observed in four horses around day 40 to day 50.
- Five horses died or had to be euthanized within a year of initial exposure, two horses made a full recovery. The remaining horses showed no symptoms between day 57 and 70, but over half displayed evidence of dysrhythmia and 13 had elevated cTnI levels.
- Post-mortem examination of two of the deceased horses revealed the presence of lasalocid in their liver tissues.
- Following a rest period, all remaining horses were able to return to their previous activities.
Study Conclusions
- The research concluded that lasalocid poisoning could lead to both heart and nerve damage.
- Despite being a rare occurrence, lasalocid poisoning should be considered if horses display symptoms such as lack of appetite, signs of depression, cardiomyopathy (a term for diseases of the heart muscle), and ataxia.
Cite This Article
APA
Decloedt A, Verheyen T, De Clercq D, Sys S, Vercauteren G, Ducatelle R, Delahaut P, van Loon G.
(2012).
Acute and long-term cardiomyopathy and delayed neurotoxicity after accidental lasalocid poisoning in horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 26(4), 1005-1011.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00933.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium. annelies.decloedt@ugent.be
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Belgium
- Cardiomyopathies / blood
- Cardiomyopathies / chemically induced
- Cardiomyopathies / veterinary
- Electrocardiography / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horses
- Ionophores / poisoning
- Lasalocid / poisoning
- Male
- Neurotoxicity Syndromes / blood
- Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology
- Neurotoxicity Syndromes / veterinary
- Troponin I / blood
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