Excessive sulfate and poor water quality as a cause of sudden deaths and an outbreak of diarrhea in horses.
Sudden deaths and an outbreak of diarrhea in horses occurred in southern Saskatchewan in 2006. Five horses died while survivors presented with diarrhea and, in 1 case, acute neurologic signs attributed to hyponatremia. Diagnostic testing of affected horses and environmental testing suggested poor water quality, specifically high salinity and high sulfate concentration as the cause.
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
Brandy A
BA
Burgess
Katharina L
KL
Lohmann
Barry R
BR
Blakley
D000818:Animals; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D012525:Saskatchewan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards
D013431:Sulfates; D014867:Water