Family devastated as mystery illness kills three horses

Karly Eldridge lost three horses in 24 hours

A Queensland family is still reeling after the shock of losing three of their beloved horses just hours apart to a mysterious illness.

‘I have no words. This is every horse owner’s worst nightmare,’ a heartbroken Karly Eldridge told Yahoo7 on Friday afternoon.

Ms Eldridge’s beautiful horses Wrangler, Christina and Cherokee – along with a neighbour’s horse Apollo – succumbed to a ‘mysterious disease’ that even a vet could not identify.

The three animals suddenly fell ill on Wednesday, suffering from an elevated heart rate and stomach ache, and died less than 24 hours later in their paddock at the Eldridge property in Edmonton.

Autopsies revealed a ‘mystery toxic substance’ in their systems, which the vets believe was the cause of death.

Kathy Eldridge (with Wrangler and Christina) was devastated when three of her horses died

Kathy Eldridge (with Wrangler and Christina) was devastated when three of her horses died

Ms Eldridge (pictured with Wrangler) said that the situation was every horse lover's 'nightmare'

Ms Eldridge (pictured with Wrangler) said that the situation was every horse lover’s ‘nightmare’

 The unknown substance retrieved from the horses is currently en route to the US, where another lab will attempt to identify it in a bid to determine the exact cause of death.

‘All we know is its some sort of toxic poisoning and vets are baffled as to what has caused it,’ a saddened Ms Eldridge explained. 

The mystery toxins shut down the horses’ organs and caused muscle deterioration, and also turned the animals’ gums purple, according to the vet who helped treat the animals. 

Ms Eldridge (pictured with Cherokee) said that her mother and sister are also 'deeply affected'

Ms Eldridge (pictured with Cherokee) said that her mother and sister are also ‘deeply affected’

Ms Eldridge's beautiful horses Wrangler, Christina and Cherokee passed away within 24 hours

Ms Eldridge’s beautiful horses Wrangler, Christina and Cherokee passed away within 24 hours

North Queensland Equine Clinic vet Stephanie Williams said it was now just a ‘waiting game’ to get the results.

‘It’s horrific, I’ve not seen anything like it,’ she told the Cairns Post. ‘At the moment we’re going with it’s something toxic they have eaten.

‘It’s not presenting like hendra and they’ve all been vaccinated which has made this case a whole lot easier to go in and do testing.

‘The only other thing on our radar is lychee seeds, there is a toxins in the seeds that have killed people before.’ 

Biosecurity Queensland has put the property under quarantine and samples from the feed and surrounding area have been taken for testing, but Ms Eldridge now fears for her five remaining horses.

‘It has crossed our minds it could have been malicious act from someone feeding them something,’ Ms Eldridge said, adding that her horses had been in the paddock for more than a year and others in there for about seven years with no issues.

It only took 24 hours for an unknown substance to claim the lives of four horses on Wednesday

It only took 24 hours for an unknown substance to claim the lives of four horses on Wednesday

Vets have been unable to identify the mysterious toxin that has killed four horses in Edmonton

Vets have been unable to identify the mysterious toxin that has killed four horses in Edmonton

She revealed that her mother and sister were also ‘deeply affected’ by the news, and shocked considering the that all of the horses were in excellent health before their passing.

‘It’s all so sudden, one minute they were fit and healthy and next minute they’re gone,’ she said. 

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the cost of the horses’ vet expenses and burial, asking for dollars in lieu of flowers.

The page describes Ms Eldridge, her sister Gemma and mother Lisa as ‘true wildlife warriors’ who have rescued numerous helpless native animals over the years. 

So far, more that $3000 has been raised to help the family.

The three Eldridge women are described as 'true wildlife warriors' who love to rescue animals

The three Eldridge women are described as ‘true wildlife warriors’ who love to rescue animals

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk