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facial eczema in horses?
I have questions regarding facial eczema and liver disorders in grazing
animals. I know the fungus Pithomyces Chartarum produces the toxin
Sporidesmin, which causes these problems in ruminants, especially sheep, who
are grazing closely and receiving little other feed. Has this fungus ever
caused similar problems in horses? In the Mid-Atlantic region of the US
(the climate seems to be suitable for it)? Is it possible to test now for
spores when the problem occured last summer? I would like to make contact
with others who have experienced the problem in any livestock species.
I'm working with a producer who grazes 50 ponies and horses. Typical
boarding situation - pasture is for exercise, feed is primarily hay and
grain. Last spring and summer he had two horses die - one from liver
failure, one not confirmed, just some kind of toxin. Half of the animals
monitored had elevated liver enzymes (some in each field) which did not
start decreasing until late September. The horses kept in a totally wooded
lot were fine. They all received the same feed and hay. A small number of
poisonous plants were identified, but our specialists didn't feel that they
were being grazed (they were mixed in with wooded patches) nor were they
there in sufficient quantity to cause problems. Some of the horses
experienced photosensitivity.
There are a lot of holes in our theory but we're at a loss as to what else to
suspect. We'd like to do some pasture monitoring this year if the problem
returns.
Thanks for any advice or information.
Janine Baratta
jb107@umail.umd.edu
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