Abstract
This chapter deals with the toxic effects of some of the common poisonous plants containing various toxic principles such as alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, nitrate- and nitrite-accumulating plants, strychnine poisoning, and various mushroom toxins in animals. Problems can also occur with animals in ornamental gardens, natural environments, and homes. Poisoning in humans and companion animals from toxic plants also continues to be a significant risk, especially to pets and children. Plant poisoning in small animals is usually accidental. Lack of understanding and increased grazing pressure on these small acreages often contribute to the consumption of toxic plants by animals. It is recommended (1) not to throw grass, shrub, or tree clippings into paddocks where animals reside (yew clippings are a common cause of poisoning in many animals); (2) provide free access to freshwater and minerals/salt and do not overstock the range or pastures; (3) avoid bedding, lambing/calving, watering, salting, or unloading hungry animals near poisonous plant populations; and (4) avoid excess stress to those animals showing clinical signs of poisoning, and if necessary, contact the veterinarian. If economically feasible, control poisonous plants through hand grubbing, mechanical clipping, or herbicide treatment.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Further Reading
Gopalakrishnakone P, Carlini CR, Ligabue-Braun R (eds) (2017) Plant toxins. Springer Netherlands
Gupta PK (1988) Veterinary toxicology, (Chapter 5). Cosmo Publications, New Delhi
Gupta PK (2014) Essential concepts in toxicology (Chapters 26). BSP Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad
Gupta PK (2016) Fundamental in toxicology: essential concepts and applications in toxicology (Chapter 26). Elsevier /BSP
Gupta PK (2018) Illustrative toxicology, 1st edn. Elsevier, San Diego
Gupta RC (ed) (2018) Veterinary toxicology: basic and clinical principles, 3rd edn. Academic Press/Elsevier, San Diego
Klaassen CD, Watkins JB III (eds) (2015) Casarett & Doull’s essentials of toxicology, 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill
Panter KE, Welch KD, Gardner DR, Lee ST, Green BT, Pfister JA, Cook D, Davis TZ, Stegelmeier BL (2018) Poisonous plants of the United States. In: Gupta RC (ed) Veterinary toxicology: basic and clinical principles, 3rd edn. Academic Press/Elsevier, San Diego, pp 837–890
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gupta, P. (2019). Poisonous Plants. In: Concepts and Applications in Veterinary Toxicology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22250-5_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22250-5_11
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-22249-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-22250-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)