Work

Horse with myopathy caused by consumption of box elder tree seedlings in the Czech Republic

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Summary An 18‐year‐old Saxon Warmblood gelding was referred to an equine clinic in the Czech Republic in May 2019 for mild colic. The horse had 7 h of grazing and 30–45 min of exercise every day. At the clinic, physical examination ruled out gastrointestinal disease, while clinical pathology confirmed rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase 29,088 IU/L; reference range 110–250 IU/L). Because of the suspicion of atypical myopathy (AM), metabolomic analysis of hypoglycin A (HGA), 31 acylcarnitines (ACs) and free carnitine was performed in four dry serum and one blood spot. After laboratory confirmation of AM in the patient studied (HGA: 0.757–0.415 μmol/L, ACs elevation), an incriminated pasture was visited and searched for the source of the toxin. No sycamore ( Acer pseudoplatanus ) was found in the vicinity of the pasture. However, several box elder ( Acer negundo ) trees were found, and toxicological analysis revealed HGA in the samaras (7.66–296.00 mg/kg), leaves (2.12–9.39 mg/kg) and seedlings (339.00 mg/kg). Not only sycamore but also the box elder tree can be a potential source of poisoning in horses in Europe, particularly in lowland areas with a warm climate.

Source: Equine Veterinary Education

DOI: 10.1111/eve.14081