Robinia pseudoacacia poisoning in two horses: A case report.

The research article presents a case study of two horses who got poisoned by ingesting Black locust bark, leading to one’s death and severe illness in the other. The surviving horse got over its ailment after four days of symptomatic treatment.

Case Description

• The case report involved two mares from the same paddock which had apparently ingested bark from the toxic Black locust tree. One mare died while the other developed serious illness but eventually recovered.
• Both horses showed sudden signs of weakness and fever. Initial treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fluids saw a transient improvement in their condition. Despite this, one of the mares was found dead the following morning.
• The surviving mare showed symptoms of colic, which is severe abdominal pain often associated with issues in the gastrointestinal tract of horses, and severe encephalopathy, which is a general term for brain diseases that alter brain function or structure.

Blood Test Findings & Treatment Administered

• Results from blood tests on the surviving horse revealed severe hyperammonemia, a dangerous condition indicating high concentrations of ammonia in the bloodstream. It could be a resulting effect of the poisoning.
• The surviving mare was given symptomatic treatment (usually intended to alleviate the horse’s symptoms without addressing the underlying cause) and made a full recovery after four days.

Necropsy and Diagnosis

• Necropsy of the deceased horse revealed brain and lung edema, pleural haemorrhages, and hyperaemia and haemorrhages in the stomach’s glandular mucosa. The intestinal content of the horse was watery, and there were no visible remnants of the bark.
• The presence of Black locust in the paddock, along with the acute onset of symptoms in both horses and identical symptoms in the surviving horse, led to the suspicion of poisoning by the Black locust tree.
• The case report confirmed the diagnosis through the microscopic examination of the gastric content from the dead mare, which showed traces of Black locust bark tissue.

Conclusion

• The case study provides an account of Black locust poisonings in horses and offers insight into its symptoms, disease progression, and eventual diagnosis. It serves as a notice for horse rearing, underlining the potential dangers lurking in the paddock environment.