The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with state departments of agriculture in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas, is continuing to investigate the illness and deaths of horses suspected to have contracted botulism.
Horse owners are being asked to not feed Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522 and 111622. The cubes are produced by Manzanola Feeds and are distributed directly to feed stores in 10 states, though further distribution is possible.
To date, 98 horses in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas have shown neurologic signs; 45 have died or were euthanized. The horses are showing symptoms consistent with botulism, but further testing is ongoing to determine the cause of the illness.
Horse owners should take precautions to protect human and horse health. A veterinarian should be contacted immediately if the horse has eaten Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes and is showing neurologic signs such as difficulty eating or standing, muscle tremors or collapse.
Follow the Equine Disease Communications Center for additional update information.
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