HIGHLY TOXIC PLANTS

We’ve already covered toxic plants on the page ‘Trees, hedgerows and weeds’ but I felt we needed a more in-depth look at the highly toxic ones. These are some of the worst offenders, in the U.K. - they may be beautiful but they can cause fatal poisoning and require immediate action:

RHODODENDRON & AZALEA

(same family but look slightly different)

 

  • Toxicity: All parts of the plant
  • Symptoms: excessive salivation, vomiting, weakness, colic signs, tremors.

YEW

 

  • Toxicity: Extremely poisonous — even small amounts can be fatal within hours.
  • Symptoms: Trembling, difficulty breathing, collapse, sudden death.

RAGWORT

 

  • Toxicity: Highly toxic to the liver, cumulative damage over time but can also cause acute poisoning if eaten in larger amounts.
  • Symptoms: Depression, jaundice, neurological signs (head pressing, staggering) weight loss, photosensitivity.

LABURNUM

 

  • Toxicity: All parts are toxic.
  • Symptoms: Excessive salivation, vomiting, colic, muscle twitching, convulsions, breathing difficulties.

PIERIS JAPONICA

 

  • Toxicity: All parts of the plant are toxic.
  • Symptoms: Excessive Salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, seizures and convulsions.

KALMIA

 

  • Toxicity: All parts are poisonous.
  • Symptoms: Salivating, loss of appetite, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, leg paralysis, slow heart rate

 

 

What you can do -

 

  • Remove access immediately.
  • Contact a vet urgently - some toxins act so fast that time is critical. Treatment may involve anti-inflammatories, pain relief, fluids (oral or intravenous), and medications to protect the gut and support vital organs. Some cases may need atropine.
  • Administer charcoal: 1 teaspoon mixed with water per kg body weight, drench every 15 minutes for an hour.
  • Fluids (oral or injected if needed) and electrolytes to protect the gut and kidneys.
  • Probiotics to help protect the gut.
  • Encourage gentle movement if safe, to keep the gut from shutting down.
  • Observe closely for at least 48 hours. Secondary complications can follow even after they seem to recover.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

It’s always better to prevent poisoning than to treat it. Check fences regularly. Double, triple check the plants in and around paddocks and enclosures, removing any that pose a risk.