Leukoencephalomalacia in two horses induced by oral dosing of fumonisin B₁

Abstract

Leukoencephalomalacia (LEM) was induced by the oral administration of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) to 2 horses: a filly received 59,5mg/kg of a 50% preparation of FB₁ administered in 21 doses of 1,25-4mg/kg over 33 days; a colt, 44,3mg/kg of 95% pure FB₁ in 20 doses of 1-4 mg/kg in 29 days. Both animals developed nervous signs such as apathy, changes in temperament, inco-ordination, walking into objects, and one showed paralysis of the lips and tongue. Characteristic lesions of LEM were present in the brains. These trials proved conclusively that FB₁ can induce LEM in horses.