Dead polo horses were given improperly mixed drug

[Peikko 1,575]

I heard about this yesterday - or Tuesday. Very sad:

Twenty-one prized polo horses that crumpled before a crowd of shocked spectators on Sunday and died soon after they were given an improperly mixed dietary supplement while preparing for a match in Florida.

The horses belonging to the Venezuelan Lechuza team were injected with a compound prepared by Franck's Pharmacy that included the wrong amount of an ingredient. The pharmacy did not specify which ingredient was improperly measured.

The team was set to compete in the semifinal of the US Open, the most high-profile event on the US competition calendar and a highlight of international competition.

"On an order from a veterinarian, Franck's Pharmacy prepared medication that was used to treat the 21 horses on the Lechuza Polo team," the pharmacy said in a statement. "As soon as we learned of the tragic incident, we conducted an internal investigation that was led by an outside lawyer and, upon its conclusion, we immediately alerted the state department of health and board of pharmacy. The report, which we are furnishing to these agencies, concluded that the strength of an ingredient in the medication was incorrect. We will cooperate fully with the authorities as they continue their investigations."

The Ocala, Florida-based pharmacy prepared a vitamin-and-mineral supplement for the horses after receiving a prescription calling for a compound equivalent for the French-made Biodyl, a drug to help the horses recover from exhaustion.

The drug is not approved for use in the US and is illegal. Lechuza said in a statement that every horse that received the drug died, and that horses who were not treated remained healthy.

The horses became ill shortly before the beginning of the match on Sunday, showing signs of dizziness and heavy-breathing. Fourteen perished that day and seven others died overnight.

Speculation immediately turned to the cocktail of vitamins and performance-enhancing fluids commonly given to horses playing at that level. A veterinarian who was at the scene immediately suggested the horses had been poisoned.

Lechuza withdrew from the competition.

Linky

Edited April 23, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[Nagishkaw 510]

How horrible!

[Mary Lou 682]

Very sad indeed