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Blister Beetle Poisoning in a Horse

Blister beetle poisoning is a condition in horses that occurs when they eat hay contaminated with dead blister beetles, which contain a toxin that causes severe damage to the mucus membranes of a horse.

  1. Hay Contamination

    • Blister beetles feeding on alfalfa can contaminate alfalfa hay during harvest. Bales can contain dead insects. Horses consuming the contaminated hay suffer dose-related symptoms, according to the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms include shaking, excess salivation, refusal of food, fever, swelling and ulceration of mucus membranes, muscle stiffness, colic, sweating, diarrhea, straining to urinate, bloody urine and immersion of nose and mouth in water. More severe poisoning can lead to shock and death in a matter of hours.

    Treatment

    • No specific antidote exists, but giving activated charcoal followed by mineral oil can reduce absorption of the poison. Pain medication, fluid replacement, antibiotics and hospitalization may be necessary.

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