Utah hay cube recall over possible botulism follows horse illnesses and deaths

Some buyers may have passed the cubes on to other locations or people, so the product could have reached Utah, northern Arizona, Nevada, and southern California. The company said it started contacting customers directly on November 3.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food first received reports that several horses on one farm had become sick, three of which died. More reports came in on November 2 of affected horses in southern Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

The cause of the deaths has not been confirmed. Testing of feed cubes sold at southern Utah facilities is underway, and the total number of sick horses has not been verified.

Signs listed in the announcement include muscle weakness and tremors, trouble swallowing or vocalizing, loss of muscle tone such as a floppy tail, weak eyelids, a flaccid tongue, and difficulty breathing. Abdominal distension, colic, constipation, and inability to urinate are also listed. Horse owners are asked to call a veterinarian right away if a horse shows neurologic signs such as depression, colic, or incoordination.

Owners should stop feeding the cubes and return them to where they bought them. Anyone who can't return the product should store it in a secure, covered spot animals can't reach and contact the company at 1-435-439-5531 for instructions. Adverse events can be reported to the FDA through its horse and livestock feed problem reporting page.