21/10/2021
Has your horse been drooling or salivating more than normal?
Check out👇 Buckingham Equine Vets 👇 post, on the increasing cases of Slobbers, caused by consumption of the fungus Rhizoctonia leguminicola.
Find out more about how this is caused, what are the symptoms and what you can do to help!
In the last 2 weeks we have had a number of clients report that their horse or horses is/are drooling saliva more that they would normally. The good news is that this isn’t anything to really worry about, but action can be taken to stop it, or prevent it happening all together.
This time of year (October) is the time when many fungi like to grow. Due to warm wet weather this Summer and now Autumn the conditions have been perfect for an increase in fungal growth. One particular fungus, Rhizoctonia leguminicola, grows on clover stems and leaves, where it is commonly termed black patch disease. The fungus contains a toxin called slaframine which, when eaten by a horse, causes the salivary glands to produce excessive salivation. Hence the condition in horses is commonly termed Slobbers.
The treatment for the condition is simple: removing the horse from exposure to the clover and fungus. In all the cases we have seen, this has ended in the salivation within 24-28 hours, and no major veterinary intervention has been needed. We do however advise fresh water should be available to prevent dehydration. No horses have stopped eating, and none have had any long-term after effects.
Please note that, though this is currently the most common cause of increased salivation, other conditions may cause the same signs including dental issues and choke. If in doubt, or if your horse stops eating, please call the practice to discuss further. Photo by Roman Fox.
