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| Author |
Message |
    
Meg Alfoni
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 11, 1999 - 3:19 pm: |   |
I have just read a report from a toxic plant site out of Canada that "white clover" has been known to cause laminitis in horses. Is this the same low-growing clover with white flowers that's in my horse pasture? I have a horse who has gotten laminitis twice in the past 3 springs...I'm wondering if this might be the culprit.
Any information will be much appreciated. Thanks |
The Advisor Vet, RN Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 14, 1999 - 7:34 am: | |
Hello Meg,
We have whole articles on this condition in the Advisor: Diseases: Lameness: Foot section. It is probably not so much the clover as the richness of clover. We also see spring founders on other grasses. Check the article out and see if you have any specific questions. It can keep you from having further problems.
DrO |
Wanda Smith
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 16, 1999 - 9:01 pm: | |
My quarter horse mare foundered severely - one coffin bone went through the foot - on first cut alfalfa pellts with a TDN of 63. I understand that the TDN for alfalfa pellets for horses should be between 51-52. Can anyone provide additional information on this?
Thank you. |
The Advisor Vet, RN Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 17, 1999 - 8:03 am: | |
Hello Wanda,
How many lbs of pellets were you feeding daily?
DrO |
painted pony
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 17, 1999 - 8:02 pm: | |
The clover that is toxic to horses is alsike clover. I think it has white flowers, but the real distinguishing characteristic is that it is the only clover with serrated leaves. |
The Advisor Vet, RN Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 18, 1999 - 4:51 am: | |
Hello pp,
Yes but founder is not the clinical signs of alsike clover toxin. The toxin has been unidentified and may actually be a mycotoxin as the problem is prevalent during the wet weather. The symproms are photosensitization, jaundice, and other symptoms of liver disease. Other clovers can contain the toxin salaframine, which causes the horses to slobber heavily. And now is the time for that here in NC, USA. Some days I am wet all over before noon.
DrO |
Joan P. Blackmon
| | Posted on Sunday, Jun 20, 1999 - 7:51 pm: | |
One of my two horses was slobbering heavily this afternoon, but otherwise appeared fine. It has been wet here all week. Do you suppose it could be salaframine? Why would my mare not be doing it, too, since they are in the same pasture? What else could it be? |
The Advisor Vet, RN Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 21, 1999 - 6:31 am: | |
Hello Joan,
Possibly, my pager has gone twice this weekend with his problem. I would be much more sure if both were doing it however in a pasture of horeses some will and some won't. I do not know if this represents a differece in susceptiblity or amount ingested. There are other possible causes but if besides appearing fine, his breath smells sweet and a careful exam of the head and jaw reveals no swellings these other problems are unlikely. To know for sure a veterinary exam of the oral cavity would be required.
DrO |
Candy J Butler
Member
Username: Candyj
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 29, 2004 - 7:57 pm: | |
Dr. O - Is the slobbering the only problem with white clover poisoning? No internal damage? My mares had it last year and we removed them from pasture for a while. The new gelding I have is the only one with the problem this year. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10711
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 30, 2004 - 8:26 am: | |
When you say the "only problem" well that leaves a lot of room for including all kinds or rare and strange events Candy. As long as you observe general good horse management practices white clover (Trifolium repens)is a safe and nutritious forage for horses.
DrO |
