Read more: horsetalk.co.nzTwo NZ horses die from sycamore seed poisoning

Read more: horsetalk.co.nzTwo NZ horses die from sycamore seed poisoning

The deaths of two horses in New Zealand’s North Canterbury region from sycamore seed poisoning has highlighted the seasonal risk posed by these trees.

Horses who ingest the seeds of the sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) can come down with a condition called atypical myopathy in Europe. The US equivalent is known as seasonal pasture myopathy.

The cause of the usually fatal condition remained unknown for years, before research three years ago linked it to the ingestion of the propellor-like seeds.

Further research points to a toxic amino acid called hypoglycin-A, which is commonly found in the seeds, as being the cause. The toxin causes destruction of muscle tissue, including the heart.

It is thought that bacterial or fungal toxins prevalent in mild climates are additional factors in the development of the disease. Most cases result in death within 72 hours of symptoms being observed.

Being aware of clinical signs and their sudden onset could help early veterinary diagnosis and treatment, and crucially, save horse’s lives.

About 20 European countries have reported cases of atypical myopathy, with outbreaks typically occurring in spring and autumn.

Owners are urged to avoid exposing their horses to sycamore seeds, which can spread more than 100 metres from trees in the wind. If exposure cannot be avoided, it is recommended that owners provide plenty of supplementary feed to minimise the risk of the horses eating the seeds.

Many questions remain about the disease in Europe and the seasonal variations in case numbers.

Research has shown that highly variable quantities of hypoglycin-A can be found from seed to seed, even within a single tree.

Scientists do not yet know why hypoglycin-A levels vary seasonally, nor how it varies with different levels of stress to the plant.The ripeness of the seeds may also be a factor.

It is possible that conditions that stress the trees may contribute to significant seasonal changes in hypoglycin-A levels.

The two North Canterbury cases occurred on a property in the North Loburn area.

咱们马场周围应该避免种这种树。