Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foals with limb deformities after mares ate locoweed
By McIlwraith, C W & James, L F·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1982·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Limb deformities in foals associated with ingestion of locoweed by mares.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving 26 pregnant mares, it was found that those who ate locoweed (a type of toxic plant) had serious consequences. Five of the mares aborted their pregnancies, while another ten gave birth to foals with various limb deformities. Out of these foals, seven had issues with how their limbs bent, and three had limbs that were misaligned. Fortunately, most of the limb problems either got better on their own or were successfully treated. Overall, the treatment worked well for the majority of the affected foals.
Abstract
Five of 26 pregnant mares observed ingesting locoweed (Astragalus mollisimus) subsequently aborted and another 10 produced foals with various limb deformities. Seven of the foals had deformities of a flexion-extension type and 3 had angular deformities. Four foals were normal. The limb deformities either resolved spontaneously (5 cases) or were treated successfully (in 4 of the other 5 cases). The problems of abortion and limb deformities were attributed to locoweed ingestion on the basis of the mares having eaten the plants, and the similarity of the syndrome to that previously reported in sheep and cattle.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7107503/