b'Arizona Ask the VetREAL COUNTRY POISONING 101the magazine H orses often ingest poisonsalkaloid toxin taxine causes cardiac and respiratory in the form of animalfailure, often within minutes. Most yew poisonings occur baits, insecticides, toxicwhen clippings are erroneously tossed into a pasture Mike Barna plants or forage, improperly stored grain and hay, drugsafter trimming, with leaves remaining toxic even after and medications given in an overdose or by an improperthey wilt. Decorative wreaths made with yew are another Publisher route, household or barn and stable cleaning compounds,potential source of exposure when hung where horses ArizonaRealCountryMagazine@gmail.com paint, and other toxic substances. In any case ofcan access them.suspected poisoning, call your veterinarian at once. If possible identify the source of the poisoning and the typeOLEANDERErika Smith Royal of poison involved. This common decorative perennial evergreen shrub Editor produces white, pink, or red flowers in spring and POISON ANIMAL BAITS summer. Common in the southern United States, oleander erika963realcountry@gmail.com These are products formulated to kill rats, mice, gophers,grows only in climates where temperatures remain above birds, snails, slugs, ants, or other offending pests. Theyfreezing. Potent cardiac glycosides in the plant affect the often consist of pelleted, granular, or powdered bait.hearts ion balance, causing irregular heart activity that can Misty Voitovski Ingestion of animal baits containing strychnine, arsenic,ultimately result in cardiac failure and death. Relatively Creative Director zinc, and other poisons occurs when the baits are left in accessible areas in barns, pastures, stables or near trails where horses are ridden Contributing Writers or exercised. Although toxic baits are used less frequently now, they pose a problem because Lee AndersonHannah Hanson horses often see them as food and ingest them Justin Legler Mark Melkowski as these types of products often contain sweet flavorings or grain bases designed to attract Betsy NunnJim & Bobbi Jeen Olsonpests. Symptoms of bait poisoning include lack Bill RobertsAlan Rockman of coordination, hyper excitability, tremors, seizures, respiratory depression and collapse. Bob RoloffJohn Samsill Again, advice and assistance of a veterinarian Hank ShefferBuddy Uldrikson are recommended. Treatment includes intravenous pentobarbital or phenobarbital, Michele Wilson administration of oxygen, the maintenance of a quiet environment and avoidance of 801 W. Wickenburg Way unnecessary handling or movement. INSECTICIDE POISONINGWickenburg, AZ 85390 Organophosphates and carbamates are compounds used extensively in pesticides (602) 254-6644 and dewormers. Horses are exposed to these toxicsmall quantities are considered lethal. Ingestion may also compounds on a regular basis. Signs of toxicity arecause colic. Horses are often exposed to oleander when ArizonaRealCountry.com hyperexcitability, colic, muscle tremors, patchy sweating,people toss clippings into pastures. Horses ridden on trails salivation, diarrhea, staggering or a stiff-legged gait. Themight also take a quick bite out of curiosity.horse may collapse and respiratory failure may occur. RED MAPLEHERBICIDES Researchers have known that wilted red maple leaves can Some property owners apply herbicides to their fieldsbe toxic to horses, but they now suggest that other species, to control weeds. Glyphosate and phenoxy herbicidessuch as sugar and silver maple, might be problematic as are most commonly used. Horses might be inclined towell. While research on the mechanism behind red maple consume toxic plants they normally wouldnt eat afterpoisoning is ongoing, scientists believe the toxic agent Follow Arizona Realthey have been sprayed with herbicide. When herbicidesis linked to levels of gallic acid, which increase in leaves are used it can bring certain chemical changes in thethroughout the summer. The leaves in combination with Country for news, events,plant, which for some reason makes them more attractivecertain bacteria produce a strong oxidant that damages to the horse. Diarrhea and colic are typically seen afterhorses red blood cells, hindering their ability to carry giveaways and more! exposure. The most common means of exposure is whenoxygen or destroying them completely. Clinical signs an owner has used an herbicide in a horses pasture andinclude loss of appetite, red urine, increased drinking forgotten about it. Always be sure to follow productand urination, and a generally depressed state. To be Arizona Real Country is owned andguidelines. For grazing animals there is usually a time inaffected, an average-sized horse would need to consume published by Barna Broadcastingthe directions designating how long to keep the animalan estimated 1.5-3.3 pounds of wilted leaves. Red maple LLC. No person, organization or partyoff pasture following application. poisoning happens mostly in the late summer and early can copy or reproduce the contentfall. Fallen branches in a paddock following a storm are on our website and/or magazine orToxic Plants the most common source of exposure, with wilted leaves any part of this publication withoutThere are many things horses should never eat. remaining toxic for as long as 30 days. A bored or curious Toxic plants rank high on the list of things to avoid.horse might strip the leaves off and eat them. Scientists a written consent from the editorsHere are a few: believe the bark is also toxic.panel and the author of the content, as applicable. The publisher, authors andYEW TANSY RAGWORTcontributors reserve their rights withAmerican, English, Japanese, and Western yew areA nondistinct yellow flowering plant, tansy ragwort regards to copyright of their work. ornamental evergreen hedge-type plants that growgrows throughout most of North America. If a horse red berries in the fall. They are commonly used ineats enough of the plant over a short period of time, or landscaping across much of North America. As littlesmaller amounts over a longer period of time, they can as a mouthful or two of yew can be lethal. The plantsdevelop an irreversible chronic liver disease, though they continued on page 7ArizonaRealCountry.com May 2020 5'