The Kansas Department of Agriculture is reporting fumonisin toxicity in north central Kansas. Fumonisins are a mycotoxin produced by several fungus species in the Fusarium genus and are common on corn plants. Fumonisin is reported to occur on visibly healthy grains and are common in grain fields, but certain conditions can allow them to proliferate. Conditions are favorable for fungal growth during drought and are accompanied by high temperatures during grain fill. Concentrations of fumonisins are not the same across one field. High concentrations are usually diluted with low or uncontaminated grain when harvesting and by grain elevators. Many issues arise when feeding homegrown corn to animals. Testing feed is the best way to ensure you won’t be feeding contaminated corn to animals.
According to a Kansas State University publication by Tim Herrman, “Horses appear to be most susceptible to fumonisin. This mycotoxin, when fed to horses, causes a unique neurotoxic syndrome called leukoencephlomalacia. This disorder is characterized by liquefaction of the horse’s brain. Neurotoxic symptoms include lowered feed consumption, lameness, oral and facial paralysis, seizures and eventual death. It has been shown that the toxin is carcinogenic and also associated with pulmonary edema in swine.” Pulmonary edema is the medical term for fluid buildup in the lungs.
If you suspect health issues with your horses or other livestock, contact your veterinarian. Inspect your corn grain and ears for fungal growth. You can also test for fumonisin and other mycotoxins at several labs in the area.
