A South Shore woman is sending a warning out to horse lovers across the province; get your horses vaccinated.
Angela Welburn owns and operates Integrity’s Haven Equine Rescue Centre in Chester Basin, NS.
On Wednesday evening, her 29-year-old horse FREEDOM died, followed by her 12-year-old horse DAKOTA on Friday.
Veterinarians confirmed Botulism as the cause and contaminated hay as the source.
“They told me that it was my hay, and that I was dealing with botulism,” an emotional Welburn tells Acadia News. “Botulism bacteria attacks from the inside out and it attacks the nervous system and it attacks the muscles.”
Welburn says the loss of her horses has been absolutely devastating and while the contaminated did come from the Bridgewater area, there was no way for anyone to know that it was indeed contaminated.
Welburn would not disclose where she got the hay from.
A third horse, 8-year-old KOKO, is currently showing signs of botulism also but Welburn says she is holding on and currently being cared for around the clock with IV and other medical treatments.
Once again, Welburn is urging horse owners to make sure they get their animals vaccinated to prevent such a tragedy from happening to other animals.
Story by Craig Power
@CraigTPower
power.craig@radioabl.ca
Above Photo: 8 year old KOKO is hanging in after showing signs of Botulism due to contaminated hay. Contributed by Angela Welburn, © June 2018.
