LESSER KNOWN POISON PLANTS
Most of us in the district know the usual suspects- bracken fern, lantana, poison peach and wild tobacco BUT there are a great variety of our wonderful garden plants that are just as deadly.
These are increasing in importance as the subdivisions get filled and the small acreage landholders get one or two animals as “grass cutters”. At this time of year the grass cutters who are now firmly entrenched as “pets” are finding increasingly less to eat while waiting for spring rain and subsequently a good feed. It is now they turn their sights on anything green and leafy which includes all things in the garden.
Some of the more common plants in gardens that escape into paddocks that cause problems are oleander- all parts are fatal and you don’t need much.
Zamia palm causes “womps” in horses
Most of the lilies esp. in cats
Yesterday, today and tomorrow or Francesca/ brunsfelsia the bush with purple flowers that fade to white-.poisonous even to goats
Dieffenbachia’s are not called dumb cane for nothing- they paralyse, numb and cause swelling inside the mouth and the tongue, also the cunjevoi lily, elephant ears etc.
Even the humble balsam is poisonous if eaten in sufficient quantities.
It must also be remembered that some plants though not poisonous when eaten will in some animals cause contact allergies – wandering jew is a classic that affects some dogs and not others. Those poor animals that are afflicted will have an amazing irritant rash under the stomach.
If you are in doubt with what is in your garden the internet is a great source of information or bring a sample into the vets and we will do the best we can.
BLACKLEG has reared its ugly head once again in the district so vaccinate your cattle to avoid the heart breaking losses caused by this preventable disease.
All the team at Dayboro Vets.
REMEMBER!! HORSE HEALTH DAY
(First Thursday of each month)
at Dayboro Veterinary Surgery on 5th November 2009.
Appointments are essential – phone 3425 1544.
Some of the more common plants in gardens that escape into paddocks that cause problems are oleander- all parts are fatal and you don’t need much.
Zamia palm causes “womps” in horses
Most of the lilies esp. in cats
Yesterday, today and tomorrow or Francesca/ brunsfelsia the bush with purple flowers that fade to white-.poisonous even to goats
Dieffenbachia’s are not called dumb cane for nothing- they paralyse, numb and cause swelling inside the mouth and the tongue, also the cunjevoi lily, elephant ears etc.
Even the humble balsam is poisonous if eaten in sufficient quantities.
It must also be remembered that some plants though not poisonous when eaten will in some animals cause contact allergies – wandering jew is a classic that affects some dogs and not others. Those poor animals that are afflicted will have an amazing irritant rash under the stomach.
If you are in doubt with what is in your garden the internet is a great source of information or bring a sample into the vets and we will do the best we can.
BLACKLEG has reared its ugly head once again in the district so vaccinate your cattle to avoid the heart breaking losses caused by this preventable disease.
All the team at Dayboro Vets.
REMEMBER!! HORSE HEALTH DAY
(First Thursday of each month)
at Dayboro Veterinary Surgery on 5th November 2009.
Appointments are essential – phone 3425 1544.
