Charcoal identified to combat fatal toxin
A COMMONLY-USED substance could hold the key to helping certain horses suffering from atypical myopathy.
The condition, which is fatal in around 70% of cases, can be caused by horses eating sycamore seeds and seedlings containing high levels of toxin hypoglycin A.
Atypical myopathy, also known as seasonal pasture myopathy, is most common in spring and autumn, but can affect occur at any time of year.
A team of researchers, led by Jessika-Maximiliane Cavalleri of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, have discovered that activated charcoal can reduce the amount of hypoglycin A absorbed by horses.
Tests were carried out on jejunum (small intestine) tissue from six horses, and the researchers found activated charcoal and an activated charcoal composition were “potent” binding substances for the toxin.
“For the first time, this study identifies substances capable of reducing hypoglycin A intestinal absorption,” states the study report, which was published in the March edition of the Equine Veterinary Journal.
“This might have major implications as a preventive measure in co-grazers of atypical myopathy-affected horses, but
also in horses at an early stage of intoxication.”
H&H vet Karen Coumbe said this is an interesting study.
“The efficacy of these findings need to be confirmed with real cases in live horses before we know if it will be really useful,” she told H&H.
“It makes sense as activated charcoal is a standard, oldfashioned treatment for toxin absorption and I hope it works — but regardless, prevention is still better than cure.”
Vet Mark Bowen agreed the research is “certainly interesting”.
“Vets have been using activated charcoal for all sorts of reasons, including atypical myopathy, for many years, but having some evidence is really useful,” said Professor Bowen.
“It suggests activated charcoal will be useful for treating horses who are starting to show signs of atypical myopathy.
“We need to remember this isn’t to be used lightly — we still need to do everything we can to avoid exposure [to sycamore seeds and seedlings].”
H&H recommends owners contact their vets if they believe their horses could be showing signs of atypical myopathy.