Feed additives and contaminants as a cause of equine disease.

The research article investigates the impact of feed additives and contaminants in causing diseases among horses, focusing on agents such as monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, blister beetles, and certain antimicrobials.

Overview of the Research

• The study seeks to understand the causal relationship between disease occurrence in horses and the consumption of contaminated or incorrectly formulated feed.
• This problem is often detected among equine practitioners who face diagnostic and therapeutic challenges while tracing the root cause of an unexplainable illness in horses.

Feed Additives and Contaminants

• The research closely examines specific additives and contaminants. Some of these include monensin, lasalocid, and salinomycin – additives not intended for equine consumption but mistakenly incorporated in their feed.
• The study also looks into the impact of blister beetles, a possible contaminant in horse feed and certain antimicrobics like lincomycin and clindamycin. The latter substances are mainly used in treating bacterial infections and might mistakenly be mixed into equine feed.

Implication on Equine Health

• The presence of these substances in the feed can lead to various health complications in horses. Most importantly, these substances are not meant for horses, making it challenging for equine practitioners to diagnose and treat diseases caused by these substances.
• The likely effects of these additives can cause serious illness in the horses, which occasionally leads to their death. It thus underscores the crucial role of ensuring feed safety and appropriate formulation to prevent diseases among equine populations.