Poisoning

Symptoms

Depending upon what the horse is poisioned with the symptoms may vary. Symptoms associated with the gut are most common, which include diarrhoea, constipation, gut pain, loud noises from the gut, colic, as well as sweating, high temperature, nervousness, and agitation.

Cause

Poisonous plants or chemicals can affect the horse. Some of the poisionous plants include Acorns, Bracken, Deadly Nightshade, Foxglove, Hemlock, Laural, Ragwort, Rhododendron and Yew. Yew is extremely poisionous and as little as 100 grams can kill a horse. Poisionous chemicals include Aflatoxins (present in fungus), Arsenic (industrial waste) Calciferol (found in some rat poisions), and Monensin (found in ruminent feed but very toxic to horses).

Treatment

Most horses will not eat poisionous plants as most are unpalatable, although when other food is scarce they may. Pastures should be checked regularly for plants and any poisionous ones should be dug out of the ground and burnt. Depending upon the cause of poisioning the treatment will differ. If you believe your horse may be poisioned contact your vet immediately.

Please remember this information is provided as a guide only and professional advice should be sought before any diagnosis or treatment is applied.