Mystery illness baffles vets as QLD family's three horses die in 48 hours
A Queensland family has been left devastated after three of their horses and a friends' were found dead following a mystery illness that has baffled vets.
Owner Karly Eldridge is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her horses Wrangler, Christina and Cherokee after they fell ill suddenly at their Edmonton paddock on Wednesday.
"I have no words. This is every horse owner's worst nightmare," Ms Eldridge told Yahoo7.
Just 24 hours later, they had succumbed to their sickness.
The tragic deaths have left vets stumped after they discovered a mystery toxic substance in their systems which is believed to have proved fatal for the horses.
"All we know is its some sort of toxic poisoning and vets are baffled as to what has caused it," Ms Eldridge said.
A string of theories have been suggested as to what's caused the deaths including contamination from lychee seeds within their field and even sabotage.
"It has crossed our minds it could have been malicious act from someone feeding them something," Ms Eldridge said.
The horses underwent autopsies before their burial and lab samples have been sent to the US in a bid to distinguish the exact cause of deaths.
Biosecurity Queensland has since placed the property under quarantine.
The current death toll stands at four, with a friend's horse, Apollo, also falling victim to the poisoning while Karly now worries about their remaining five horses.
Ms Eldridge said her mother and sister have also been deeply affected by the news, especially considering the horses' previous good health.
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"Its all so sudden, one minute they were fit and healthy and next minute they're gone," she said.
She said the unknown toxins shut down the horses' organs and caused muscle deterioration.
The family have since set up a GoFundMe page to help with the escalating costs of the horses' testing, vet fees and their burial cost.
