Clinical and clinicopathologic effects of large doses of raw linseed oil as compared to mineral oil in healthy horses.

Abstract

The clinical and clinicopathologic effects of raw linseed oil and mineral oil were compared. In a crossover experimental design trial, 6 horses were given either raw linseed oil (2.5 mL/kg body weight) or mineral oil (10 mL/kg body weight), twice, 12 hours apart. Two weeks later, the horses received the opposite treatment. All horses given mineral oil or linseed oil developed nonformed feces by 24 hours of the first administration of oil. Horses treated with mineral oil had formed feces at 48 hours; horses treated with linseed oil developed normally formed feces at 96 to 108 hours. All horses treated with linseed oil had signs of depression and anorexia, and 3 had signs of mild colic. These signs were not observed in horses treated with mineral oil. Concentrations of serum glucose and bilirubin were significantly higher in horses treated with linseed oil when compared with horses treated with mineral oil.