Selenium Cause Of Polo Horse Deaths

Florida's state veterinarian has gone on the record as saying that signs exhibited by the 21 polo horses that recently died in sudden fashion were consistent with toxic doses

of selenium.

"Signs exhibited by the horses and their rapid deaths were consistent with toxic doses of selenium," Dr. Thomas J. Holt was quoted as saying in an article by the Los Angeles Times.

The article goes on to state that the medication was prepared by an Ocala, Florida retail and compounding pharmacy called Franck's Pharmacy at the request of a veterinarian that treated the horses while in Florida.

Franck's Pharmacy announced last week that an internal review prompted by the horses' deaths showed that the compound, a substitute for a medication called Biodyl that is unapproved for use in the U.S., was mixed incorrectly.

To read the Los Angeles Times article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Los Angeles Times)

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