Current problems in feed consultation in veterinary medicine. 6. Damage to the horse caused by animal feed
Meyer, H.; Heckotter, E.; Merkt, M.; Bernoth, E.M.; Kienzle, E.; Kamphues, J.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 93(10): 486-490
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 3542479 Document Number: 283863
During 1976-85, 515 of samples of horse feeds were submitted for examination. The commonest defects included high contents of moulds, yeasts and bacteria. Oats and mixed feeds of low hygienic quality were associated with digestive and respiratory disorders. Increased yeast concentrations were particularly associated with colic. A high lipopolysaccharide content (> 20 micro g/g) was also associated with disorders. Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from two samples of maize silage that had caused fatal colic or diarrhoea. Frequent findings were unsuitable physical condition of feed, such as hay and straw chopped too short (causing colic), crumbling pellets and dusty hay (respiratory disorders), and sticky mixed feed (colic and stomach rupture). Contaminants detected were ergot, mercuric seed dressing, washing agent, monensin, and fertilizer. Grass samples often contained inadequate calcium, sodium, magnesium and zinc. Horses with chronic digestive disorders, not apparently due to unsuitable feed, often responded to treatment with enzyme preparations. Tests for mycotoxins were not performed.