|
|
|
|
Poisonous Plant Series: A discussion of different poisonous plants to goats will be discussed in the newsletter series. The information is designed as a reference, but ultimately the individual goat owner is responsible for information and feeding of poisonous plants. The FNGA and the author are not liable for information presented or used in these articles). By Matt Bray
Lupine (ssp. Lupinus, family. Legume)
Habitat : Dry Slopes, fields, and roadsides throughout most of Alaska . Personal observation of local occurrence : widespread through interior Alaska . Common in well-drained soils from lowland road systems to alpine tundra. Blooming : June and early July Description: The main lupine found within Alaska are the Arctic Lupine (L. arcticus) and Nootka Lupine (L. nootkatensis). An herbaceous perennial plants between 10” and 16” tall, the leaves are alternate and palmately , with soft hairy segments. The leaves are blue and showy. Later in the season, distinct fuzzy pea pod can be seen. Comments: (Kingsbury, 1964)  Lupine poisoning of livestock is well documented. Sheep are the most commonly poisoned and poisoning primarily occurs when sheep are trailed through lupine ranges in late summer when pod and seeds are prevalent. Lupine poisoning has been known to cause birth defects in cows and in humans. A case in California occurred where a child was born with limb deformities which was tracked to a poisionous alkaloid from lupines found in the families goat milk. Symptoms of lupine ingestion in sheep include labored breathing, depression, coma (often with snoring), and death from asphyxiation. Tremors and convulsions may occur. The animal may butt other sheep or stand leaning against an object. Teeth grinding and frothing have been observed. Sheep consume lupine more readily than do other livestock and are therefore the major species susceptible to lupine toxicity. Ingesting seeds equal to 0.25-0.5% of body weight can cause poisoning (note: excerpt taken from http://sis.agr.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.list , Canadian Poisonous Plant information system.). There is no antidote for lupine poisoning and if suspected, the animal should not be stressed which may make poisoning worse. The toxicity rating of lupine is low to moderate and in general large quantities of lupine need to be ingested for poisoning to occur. Younger plants are more poisonous than older plants, but the seeds and pods of older plants are the most poisonous component of the plant. Gardner and Panter (1993) In terms of goat consumption, Mionczynski (1999) and Eddy (1999) state that their goats eat large amounts of lupine with the earlier reporting that this consumption was during all stages of growth even during the production of seed pods for 5 different lupine species. An interesting study by Gardner and Panter (1993) looked at the blood plasma alkaloid levels between cattle, sheep, and goats. The animals were fed L. caudatus and the alkaloid levels were monitored over a period of 56 hours. The dosage levels were 3.0 g/kg (plant material/body weight) for cattle and 7.8 g/kg for sheep and goats. It was found that goats have a significant lower alkaloid level than cattle or sheep (approx. 2.5x to 3.5x less). Sheep and goats showed no sign of poisoning while cattle did. This observation supports Mionczynski and Eddy’s statement. Remember that poisoning of humans can occur through the milk supply of goats and humans are less resistant to poisoning than ruminants. When allowing goats to graze in areas with lupine, make sure they have access to a large number of different plants, thus greatly reducing the potential for poisoning.
References Eddy, C. 1999. Practical Goatpacking. ECPG, Estacada , OR . 143 p. Mionczynski, J. 1999. Goats and Poisonous Plants. Goat Tracks: Journal of the Working Goat, v. 5. issue 1, winter 1999, pp. 14-17.
Monkshood (Aconitum delpinifolium; ssp. delphinifolium; family. Buttercup) Tall Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum; family. Buttercup)
Monkshood Tall larkspur 
Habitat: Woodlands, meadows, mid-alpine areas. (Larkspur- moist woodlands and meadows. Found in southcentral and interior Alaska ) Personal observation of local occurrence : Monkshood- Angel Rocks, Birch Hill Ski Trails, Pinnell Mountain Trail (27 mile ridge top hike-above tree line). No direct observation of Tall Larkspur Blooming: July and August
(Kingsbury, 1964) Description: Tall slender plant ranging up to 4’. Shorter in alpine meadows. Larger plants are located in moist woodlands. The leaves consist of 5 deeply-divided, narrow lobes which are divided again into three linear segments. Monkshood and Larkspur leaf shape is very similar, the defining difference is that on Monkshood, the upper leaves have very short petioles that are next to the stem while larkspur has longer petioles. The flowers easily distinguish the two. Monkshood flowers are usually blue to navy blue and have a helmet like shape (prominent hood). Larkspur flowers are purplish-blue and form an erect cluster of 5 petaled, spurred flowers.Comments: The poisonous alkaloids are very similar between monkshood and larkspur. Monkshood or Aconitum is considered one of the most poisonous plants. It has been shown that 0.075% of the animal’s weight of fresh root has proved lethal in a horse. Monkshood was once called wolfbane, in that it was used in bait for killing wolves. All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the root and the toxicity rating is considered “high”. “Animal poisoning in people and animals is intense. Death usually occurs in a few hours. Symptoms include restlessness, salivation, weakness and irregularity of heartbeat, and prostration. Bloating, belching, frothy salivation and constant swallowing are common in livestock. (Kingsbury, 1964)” The potential for sudden onset of dry red skin without perspiration, unquenchable thirst for cold water, extreme restlessness, and anxiety. Tall Larkspur toxicity is considered “moderate” and sheep can browse large amounts without apparent toxicity (approximately 6 times more than cattle). Larkspur is not distasteful to livestock. Sheep have been used to control larkspur (Kingsbury, 1964). The toxicity of both Monkshood and Tall Larkspur decreases with age. For Tall Larkspur, the toxicity is about half at flowing and 1/16 by time the fruit have mature, yet the seeds are highly poisonous (toxicity on a weight basis). The youngest stage of plant growth is the most dangerous. Symptoms of larkspur poinsoning include uneasiness, stiffness of gait, and straddled stance. Bloating is common in larkspur poisoning. According to www.goatworld.com, goats may browse small amounts of Monkshood without any ill affects. There is a fine line between a healthy and toxic dose. It is unknown as to the response of goats to larkspur. Preventative measures include limiting the goats access to areas high in either Monkhood or Larkspur and make sure a large variety of forage is available.
References Kingsbury, J.M. 1964. Poisonous plants of the United States and Canada . Prentice-Hall Inc., New Jersy, 626 p.
Online Sources http://sis.agr.gc.ca/pls/pp/, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/goatlist.html; Cornell Poisonous Plant Information Database http://www.pprl.usu.edu/Poisonous_Plants.htm; USDA Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory http://www.goatworld.com/health/plants/
|
|||||||||
Home | Newsletters | Articles | Goat Products | Events | Links February 17, 2006
|
