b'Vet continued from page 5 amounts found in the leaves. The plant is unpalatable Oleander and is usually not grazed by choice. The Iris may This common decorative perennial evergreen shrubalso be accidentally cut and bundled during haying produces white, pink, or red flowers in spring andoperations. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, summer. Common in the southern United States,decreased appetite, colic symptoms, increased oleander grows only in climates where temperaturessalivation, sores on lips and mouth, and bleeding of remain above freezing. Potent cardiac glycosidesthe stomach and small intestine.in the plant affect the hearts ion balance, causing irregular heart activity that can ultimately result inOtherscardiac failure and death. Relatively small quantitiesOther toxin-producing plants include pokeweed, are considered lethal. Ingestion may also cause colic.castor bean, jimsonweed, locoweed, morning glory, Horses are often exposed to oleander when peopleand New Mexican black locust.toss clippings into pastures. Horses ridden on trails might also take a quick bite out of curiosity. There are various types of grass, such as foxtails, Red Maple medusa head rye, and triticale that cause mechanical Researchers have known that wilted red mapledamage as they injure mucosal surfaces of the mouth, leaves can be toxic to horses, but they now suggesteyes, ears, and skin folds, and migrate through soft that other species, such as sugar and silver maple,tissues. Avoiding contaminated hay and maintaining might be problematic as well. While research on theHorses are often exposed to oleander when people tosspastures to avoid exposure is recommended. mechanism behind red maple poisoning is ongoing,clippings into pastures. Horses ridden on trails mightFurthermore, some plants have indigestible fibers, scientists believe the toxic agent is linked to levelsburrs, and some poorly identified plant parts that also take a quick bite out of curiosity. cause masses in the gastrointestinal tract, especially of gallic acid, which increase in leaves throughoutin the equine colon, where they increase in size until the summer. The leaves in combination with certainRed maple poisoning happens mostly in the latethey intermittently or permanently obstruct colonic bacteria produce a strong oxidant that damagessummer and early fall. Fallen branches in a paddockfunction and flow. Of the plants, persimmon has horses red blood cells, hindering their ability to carryfollowing a storm are the most common source ofthe highest association because it has been reported oxygen or destroying them completely. Clinical signsexposure, with wilted leaves remaining toxic for asto cause epidemic outbreaks of equine gastric include loss of appetite, red urine, increased drinkinglong as 30 days. A bored or curious horse might stripphytobezoars and colic.and urination, and a generally depressed state. Tothe leaves off and eat them. Scientists believe the bark be affected, an average-sized horse would need tois also toxic. There are hundreds of plants that can be toxic. consume an estimated 1.5-3.3 pounds of wilted leaves.Some grow in specific regions while others are more Tansy Ragwort widespread. Some are always a serious danger and A nondistinct yellow flowering plant, tansy ragwortothers only under certain conditions. To find out grows throughout most of North America. If a horsewhich plants to watch for in your region, talk to your eats enough of the plant over a short period of time,vet or extension agent. or smaller amounts over a longer period of time, they can develop irreversible chronic liver disease, though they may not show signs for six months to a year. Signs can be neurologic and include head-pressing, circling, and bizarre behavior. Loss of appetite and weight loss over time is also common. Horses might consume the plant if it gets baled into hay, but because disease onset is slow and clinical signs often do not appear until well after the initial exposure this poisoning can be difficult to trace.Common Snakeweed It is also known as broom weed, match weed, or thread leaf. Snakeweed is a bushy, short-lived, native, perennial shrub or subshrub that grows from 8 to 28 inches in height. It flowers from August to October and reproduces from seeds. It grows on arid and Horses might consume tansy ragwort if it gets baledsemi-arid sites and can be confused with rabbit into hay, but because disease onset is slow and clinicalbrush. Toxicity is typically observed in plants growing on sandy soils, during periods of limited rainfall and signs often do not appear until well after the initialdry conditions, or during conditions of rapid plant exposure this poisoning can be difficult to trace. "green up". Since snakeweed is drought tolerant and is readily available during dry conditions. The toxic agent is saponins and is considered a secondary Specific antidotes are availableabsorber of selenium which is toxic in quantity.for some poisons. If the poison isRocky Mountain Iris known, call the National AnimalA wild Iris that can grow up to 12 inches tall with Poison Control Center at (888)a flower that is blue to purple with a yellow stripeJuly 2022Volume 9Issue 9FREE FREE426-4435 or (800) 548-2433.on the petals. The leaves look similar to grass untilAugust 2022Volume 9Issue 10 The center is open 24 hours athe plant is fully grown. It is usually found in high-day. A small charge is made foraltitude ponderosa pine or spruce-fir forests, and in their services, but is well worthheavily grazed areas with seasonally moist meadows. it considering the health of yourThe plant spreads by seed and rhizome. It can easily out-compete grasses in certain years. The primary horse. You may also call your localtoxin is irisin (iridin or irisine) found throughout hospital and ask for informationthe plant, which are resinoids and pentacyclin toxicTHE CIRCLE L RANCH STORYfrom the Poison Control Center. terpenoids. The highest concentration of the toxinNEW!Cowgirl W R ith A Pen:S EA F N UO John Samsill II I N O P T I HE he Arizona DuuudeJ . T P R N E O O N F P E E A CEO NGis found in the roots and rhizomes, with lowerT T MAYO A N C O T HN A O T W A M I O L OR T E A ,U T MR ARHE M AN H YNR VED W H YGRAND A RTS SUP Your #1 EquineEND August Events E SE AZ Road Trip IKESE y PLYSOURCE&CALShutterstock / Victorian Traditions ETSEDONAH96.3 Real Countr T CRUPCOMINGCONC AROUNDTHESTAArizonaRealCountry.com October 2022 7'