Monday morning and time to learn a thing or two about another plant that has it in for your horse . Today’s plant is incredibly common and could as easily be called horsebane, Dogbane is dangerous.
A Little About Dogbane
Apocynum cannabinum is also called Amyroot, Bitter-Root, Dogbane, General Marion’s Weed, Indian Hemp, Rheumatism Weed and Wild Cotton. This is a spindly perennial that grows to about 3 feet. Egg-shaped leaves grow opposite or in a whirled pattern and have fine white hairs underneath. Small white flowers grown in clusters and fruit is a long, thin hanging pod.
How Dangerous Is It?
Although this plant isn’t especially palatable to equines, however it grows in grassy areas and is toxic enough that horse owners should be aware of it. This plant contains cardiac glycosides which are dangerous to most mammals.
All parts of this plant are toxic and can be fatal to equines.
What To Look For
You know your animal the best, so you should know when something is amiss. Dogbane toxicity symptoms include excessive sweating, strong pulse, dilated pupils, discoloration of mucus membranes, loss of appetite & diarrhea.
Learn More
Be sure to check out the Dogbane page to learn more about the plant and while you are at it why not check out more toxic plants?
*It should be noted that I’m not a veterinarian. This information is written specifically for horses and should be used for reference purposes only. If you think your horse has eaten something toxic call your vet right away.