Mystery as 10 horses suddenly die in Melbourne’s outer suburbs

Authorities are investigating why at least 10 horses have suddenly died across different properties in Victoria.

At least 10 horses have died suddenly under mysterious circumstances.

Mystery surrounds the reason at least 10 horses have suddenly died on different properties in Victoria.

The horses have unexpectedly died across three separate properties on the Mornington Peninsula, in southeast Melbourne and southwest Victoria since July 4.

The state’s chief veterinary officer believes there could be more than the 10 confirmed deaths and is calling on owners to report any sudden deaths to Agriculture Victoria or their local vet to help the investigation.

“The investigation is in the early stages,” Dr Graeme Cooke said.

“It is not yet known what has caused these deaths and to date common links are not evident.”

At least 10 horses have suddenly died in Victoria from an unknown reason.

All ten horses are believed to have died quickly with short term non-specific signs of illness.

Dr Cooke said early testing for some known diseases in horses had been negative.

“Comprehensive testing for a range of disease, and importantly, non-disease causes, is underway,” he said.

John Russell, a specialist equine surgeon at the Woodgrange Equine Hospital in Bayles, urged concerned owners to check their horse’s rectal temperature and contact their vet if it is above 38.5 degrees.

Symptoms in the sick horses have included lethargy or diarrhoea.

Dr Russell told news.com.au there was initial concern there could be an outbreak of an exotic disease but that doesn’t seem to be the case, and it also appears whatever the horses have been struck with is not contagious.

He said a toxin in feed was being considered as a cause of sudden illness but some of the horses that died were just on pasture.

Dr Russell said it might turn out that “a micro toxin in the soil” is to blame but so far there are no answers.

Owners are asked to monitor their horses for sudden lethargy, diarrhoea and high temperatures. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Dr Russell said it was “only right to be vigilant” but he doesn’t believe there is cause for alarm among the general population outside the area.

He explained that he wasn’t treating the horses himself but as a referral hospital they had been hearing from other vets and had many calls from concerned horse owners after sharing updates on social media.

A thoroughbred breeder, who was referred to as Nea, told 7News two of her horses had died and five were sick.

“This thing is cruel. It’s really cruel and you’ve got other sick ones and you’ve just got to keep going,” she said.

“You’re grasping at straws. You’re looking at every single factor and we have walked their paddocks looking at different weeds that are not normal and we have looked for possible signs of baiting and poisoning.”

Victoria’s emergency animal disease hotline is 1800 675 888.