In a terrible loss, The Bangor Daily News reports that a rare botulism outbreak has killed 23 horses between April 7 and 17 at the Whistlin’ Willow Farm, according to the state veterinarian.

Donald Hoenig told the Portland Press Herald last week that there were no signs the horses were cared for improperly. Another 40 to 45 other horses at the farm were not sickened.

The botulism toxin is not contagious. According to the daily News:

"Hoenig believes it most likely developed in bales of silage. Silage is packaged in white plastic when grass is moist while hay is packaged after it has dried.

"There may have been other feeds and we’re kind of in the middle of this investigation," Hoenig said.

The cause of botulism is the toxin given off by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, Hoenig said. It is fast-acting and powerful and can cause a horse’s death within hours after being ingested."

Read more at: Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) at www.bangordailynews.com

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