Poisonous Plants 4 H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary

Poisonous Plants 4 -H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas Agri. Life Extension Service College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M System http: //aevm. tamu. edu

Objectives n Discuss the factors that cause an animal to consume poisonous plants n Describe the signs of oak poisoning n List and recognize plants that contain cyanide n Describe signs of cyanide poisoning n List and recognize plants that contain excessive nitrate n Describe signs of nitrate poisoning n Discuss laboratory methods for diagnosing plant poisoning in animals

Review n Non-Infectious Diseases n Nutritional Diseases n Reproductive Problems n Chemical Poisoning n Toxicity of Insecticides n Poisonous Plants n Miscellaneous Plants

Poisonous Plants n Why plants n Decoration n Ground cover n Hay n Etc n Problem n May be poisonous n Certain stage of growth § Seasonal n Large quantities

n Plants area specific n Temperature n Rainfall n Soil n Terrain n Know the plants in your area

n To help prevent problem n Identify poisonous plants n Remove animals n Remove plants n Spraying n Mowing n Remove clippings and wilted leaves n If suspect poisoning n Move animals n Call veterinarian

n Plant identification n Leaves n Seeds n Flowers n Root system n Stems

Detection of Poisonous Plants n Hard to determine if illness or death due to poisonous plants Field observation n Laboratory diagnosis n n Blood samples Urine samples Stomach contents

Examples n Oaks n n n Contain gallotannin Affects kidneys Poison n Leaves § Seasonal § Spring § Early growth § Buds § palatable n Acorns § Seasonal § Fall § Green acorns § Abundant § Brown/mature acorns are ok

n Symptoms n n Weight loss Depression Blood tinged nasal discharge Diarrhea § Mucous § Blood n n Increased water consumption Increased urination

n Treatment n n Prevention n Remove animals from area Graze on acorn-free pastures Return only when acorns brown Feed calcium hydroxide as supplement Monitor acorn and leave conditions If severe kidney damage - death

n Plants with cyanide n May form cyanide n Rapid poisoning n Rapid death n Ruminants are more susceptible n Examples n n Grain sorghums Johnson grass Sudan grass Wild black cherry tree

n When occurs n n Drought Frost Have elevated concentrations n Dissipates in hay n n Affects n Blocks the use of oxygen by cells

n Symptoms n n n n Increase breathing rate Excited Rapid breathing Bright red mucous membranes Labored breathing Muscle trembles and spasms Large amounts consumed § Stagger § Fall § Convulsions

n Treatment n n n None = death Remove animals Prognosis n If survive 2 hours possibility of living

Excessive Nitrates n Plants can accumulate nitrate compounds n High concentrations not usually present in plants n Conditions n Excessive nitrate fertilizer § Pond runoff n n Unusual fertilizer Unusual conditions § Drought § Rain after a drought n Rapid growth

n Ruminants are more susceptible n n n Rumen flora convert to ammonia Nitrite is intermediate step (~10 times more toxic) Interferes with the bloods ability to carry oxygen to tissue

n Crops with high nitrate concentrations n Cereal grasses n n n Oats Millet Rye Corn n Sunflower n sorghums n

n Weeds with high nitrate concentrations n Pigweed n Lamb’s quarter n Thistle n Jimson weed n Fireweed n Smartweed n Dock n Johnson grass

n Symptoms n Occur quickly or after several days n Weakness n Trembling n Staggering n Rapid breathing n Collapsing n Brownish-blue membranes (mouth and nostrils)

n Treatment n Work with a veterinarian

n Dallis Grass n Ergot fungus in seed heads n n Advanced stages have toxin Affects the CNS Does not affect horses See in late summer

n Symptoms n n Treatment n n Nervousness Excitable Trembling/staggering walk Remove animals Prevention n Mow down the seed heads

n Coffee Senna n Affects muscle n Found along roadsides n Not eaten if possible

n Symptoms n n n n Weakness Unable to stand Coffee colored urine Diarrhea Ataxic Afebrile Alter up until death Treatment n None known

n Oleander n Common ornamental plant n Tree like n Affects the heart n Small amounts are fatal n Has a bitter taste n Species n All

n n Symptoms n Appear 4 -12 hours after eating n Depression n Vomiting n Diarrhea n Increased pulse rate n Weakness n Trembling n Convulsions n Coma n Death Treatment n None

Resources n Toxic Plants of Texas n https: //agrilifebookstore. org/ n $25