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Post on 21-Dec-2015
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Poisonous Plants
4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine
Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu
Objectives
Discuss the factors that cause an animal to consume poisonous plants
Describe the signs of oak poisoning List and recognize plants that contain cyanide Describe signs of cyanide poisoning List and recognize plants that contain
excessive nitrate Describe signs of nitrate poisoning Discuss laboratory methods for diagnosing
plant poisoning in animals
Review
Non-Infectious Diseases Nutritional Diseases Reproductive Problems Chemical Poisoning Toxicity of Insecticides Poisonous Plants Miscellaneous Plants
Poisonous Plants
Why plants Decoration Ground cover Hay Etc
Problem May be poisonous
Certain stage of growth Seasonal
Large quantities
To help prevent problem Identify poisonous plants Remove animals Remove plants
Spraying Mowing
Remove clippings and wilted leaves
If suspect poisoning Move animals Call veterinarian
Detection of Poisonous Plants
Hard to determine if illness or death due to poisonous plants Field observation Laboratory diagnosis
Blood samples Urine samples Stomach contents
Examples Oaks
Contain gallotannin Affects kidneys Poison
Leaves Seasonal
Spring Early growth Buds palatable
Acorns Seasonal
Fall Green acorns
Abundant Brown/mature acorns are ok
Symptoms Weight loss Depression Blood tinged nasal discharge Diarrhea
Mucous Blood
Increased water consumption Increased urination
Treatment Remove animals from area Graze on acorn-free pastures Return only when acorns brown
Prevention Feed calcium hydroxide as supplement Monitor acorn and leave conditions
If severe kidney damage - death
Plants with cyanide May form cyanide Rapid poisoning Rapid death Ruminants are more susceptible Examples
Grain sorghums Johnson grass Sudan grass Wild black cherry tree
When occurs Drought Frost
Have elevated concentrations Dissipates in hay
Affects Blocks the use of oxygen by cells
Symptoms Increase breathing rate Excited Rapid breathing Bright red mucous membranes Labored breathing Muscle trembles and spasms Large amounts consumed
Stagger Fall Convulsions
Excessive Nitrates
Plants can accumulate nitrate compounds High concentrations not usually present in
plants Conditions
Excessive nitrate fertilizer Pond runoff
Unusual fertilizer Unusual conditions
Drought Rain after a drought
Rapid growth
Ruminants are more susceptible Rumen flora convert to ammonia Nitrite is intermediate step (~10 times more toxic)
Interferes with the bloods ability to carry oxygen to tissue
Weeds with high nitrate concentrations Pigweed Lamb’s quarter Thistle Jimson weed Fireweed Smartweed Dock Johnson grass
Symptoms Occur quickly or after several days Weakness Trembling Staggering Rapid breathing Collapsing Brownish-blue membranes (mouth and
nostrils)
Dallis Grass Ergot fungus in seed heads
Advanced stages have toxin Affects the CNS Does not affect horses
See in late summer
Symptoms Nervousness Excitable Trembling/staggering walk
Treatment Remove animals
Prevention Mow down the seed heads
Symptoms Weakness Unable to stand Coffee colored urine Diarrhea Ataxic Afebrile Alter up until death
Treatment None known
Oleander Common ornamental plant Tree like Affects the heart Small amounts are fatal Has a bitter taste Species
All
Symptoms Appear 4-12 hours after eating Depression Vomiting Diarrhea Increased pulse rate Weakness Trembling Convulsions Coma Death
Treatment None