CONTAMINATED FEED CAUSES DEATH OF HORSES AT LOUISINANA

According to state agriculture officials, at least 20 horses in Louisiana have died as a result of consuming bacteria discovered in some alfalfa hay cubes made by a company in Colorado. After horses in Louisiana and three other states started exhibiting neurological symptoms consistent with botulism, state officials said, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry started warning livestock owners and others about possible issues with some bags of “Top Of The Rockies Alfalfa Horse Cubes” in the middle of December.

The FDA said that at least 98 horses in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico have displayed symptoms such as muscle tremors, difficulty eating or swallowing, difficulty standing, or collapse. After consuming the cubes, at least 45 of those animals had passed away or had to be put to sleep owing to deteriorating health.