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Selenium Toxicosis
Selenium Toxicosis in the Horse
Introduction
Selenium (Se) is an essential mineral in the diet of horses. However, certain plants, environmental conditions, or overzealous administration can result in toxicity. Depending on the dose and length of exposure three different sets of symptoms can result. This article addresses causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of selenium toxicosis.
For more information see also,
Selenium as a Nutrient.
Toxicity & Clinical Signs
Per Acute and Acute:
Clinical signs seen depend on the amount ingested. Large doses, approximately 2.5 mg / lb. of horse, results in peracute to acute disease. Ingestion of feed stuffs containing greater than 10,000 ppm can result in poisoning at this level. In peracute cases death occurs rapidly due to shock and respiratory failure. In acute cases depression and colic may be the first sign noticed followed by weakness, frequent urination, difficult breathing, shock, and death.
Chronic:
Lower doses, 0.05 to 0.5 mg / lb. of horse (5 to 50 ppm minimum dry weight in forage) in the diet for more than 30 days can result in chronic poisoning. The clinical sins are loss of mane and tail hair, rings and cracks in the hoof wall, and secondary laminitis. Also, seen in this chronic condition is ill thrift, anemia, and stiffness. Severe cases may result in sloughing of the hooves.
Cause
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