Explore our comprehensive guide to poisonous plants in Georgia, specifically curated for horse owners. Developed from research by the University of Georgia and the ASPCA Center for Poison Prevention, our resource not only identifies toxic flora but also outlines the symptoms to watch for. From common pasture plants to landscaping hazards, stay informed and safeguard your equine companions against potential dangers lurking in their surroundings.
If you suspect your horse has ingested something toxic, call us immediately at (770) 788-7387.
PLANT: Angel’s Trumpet
SYMPTOMS:
Anorexia, weight loss, thirst, tachycardia, dilated pupils, diarrhea, excessive urination, and death
PLANT: Choke-Cherry, Black Cherry
SYMPTOMS:
Fatal cyanide poisoning; rapid labored breathing, frothing at the mouth, dilated pupils, ataxia, muscle tremors, convulsions; death
PLANT: Castor Bean
SYMPTOMS:
Ricin toxin poisoning; severe gastrointestinal irritation; hemorrhagic diarrhea; dilated pupils and cardiac arrhythmias; death
PLANT: Common Boxwood
SYMPTOMS:
1.5 lb of green leaves may be lethal to an adult horse; Severe gastroenteritis, colic, and hemorrhagic diarrhea; death results from respiratory failure
PLANT: Hoary Alyssum
SYMPTOMS:
Stiffness, limb swelling, fever, diarrhea, laminitis, intravascular hemolysis, severe hypovolemic shock, and death; abortion or premature parturition
PLANT: Jimson Weed, Thornapple, Stinkweed
SYMPTOMS:
Increased heart and respiratory rate, muscle weakness, dilated pupils, colic, and watery diarrhea; death
PLANT: Kentucky Coffee Tree, American Coffee Berry
SYMPTOMS:
Gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, colic, and diarrhea; hypotension, decreased heart and respiratory rates, muscle paralysis, convulsions; death
PLANT: Milkweeds
SYMPTOMS:
1.0 kg is lethal for adult horses; death in 8 to 10 hours
PLANT: Monkshood, Aconite
SYMPTOMS:
restless, salivate excessively, develop muscle weakness, hypotension; difficulty in breathing; death
PLANT: Mountain Laurel
SYMPTOMS:
Green frothy salivation, vomiting, colic, frequent defecation, depression, weakness, ataxia; death
PLANT: Oleander
SYMPTOMS:
Severe gastrointestinal and cardiac signs of poisoning; death
PLANT: Rattlebox
SYMPTOMS:
Liver disease and photosensitization; death
PLANT: Poison Hemlock, European Hemlock, Spotted Hemlock
SYMPTOMS:
Salivation, abdominal pain, muscle tremors, and incoordination; difficulty in breathing, dilated pupils, weak pulse, and frequent urination and defecation; death
PLANT: Pokeweed, Pokeberry
SYMPTOMS:
Oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, colic, bloody diarrhea, depression, prostration, and death
PLANT: Rhododendron (Azalea)
SYMPTOMS:
Anorexia, excessive salivation, vomiting, colic, and frequent defecation; muscle weakness, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, weakness, paralysis, and coma; death
PLANT: Silver Leaf Nightshade, White Horse Nettle, Tropillo
SYMPTOMS:
Horses that have recently been treated with the antiparasitic drug ivermectin develop a neurotoxicity; drooling saliva, drooping lips and ears, and head pressing; death
PLANT: Tobacco
SYMPTOMS:
Rapid heart rate, salivation, vomiting, colic, and diarrhea; muscle weakness, staggering, collapse of the front legs, and a rapid, weak, and irregular heart rate; respiratory paralysis, blindness, prostration, coma, and death
PLANT: Water Hemlock, Cowbane, Poison Parsnip
SYMPTOMS:
8 oz is lethal for adult horses; muscle tremors and violent convulsions; excessive salivation, vigorous chewing movements, teeth grinding, frequent urination, and defecation are common; death in 2 to 3 hours
PLANT: White Snakeroot
SYMPTOMS:
Initially listless, depressed, lethargic, and disinclined to move; choking; patchy sweating; irregular heart rate; death
PLANT: Yew
SYMPTOMS:
8 to 16 oz of yew leaves is lethal for adult horses; muscle trembling, incoordination, nervousness, difficulty in breathing, slow heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and death.
