Poisonous plants are a major cause of economic loss to the livestock industry.  Each year these plants adversely affect 3 to 5 percent of the cattle, sheep, and horses that graze western ranges.

Livestock losses can be heavy if:

• Animals graze infested ranges when plants are most toxic.
• Animals are driven or trailed through or unloaded from trucks onto range or pasture areas infested with poisonous plants.
• Animals are not watered regularly or are allowed to become hungry. Such animals are more likely to eat lethal quantities of poisonous plants.
• Animals are allowed to graze in heavy stands of plants that are highly poisonous, such as locoweed or larkspur.
• Animals are grazed on rangelands early in the spring when there is no other green vegetation except poisonous plants.

There are no known treatments for animals poisoned by most poisonous plants. Where a treatment is available, affected animals are usually in remote places and cannot be reached until it is too late to apply the treatment. When they have recovered enough to be handled, treatment should consist primarily of symptomatic treatment except where a specific treatment is known.

Prevention of loss from poisonous plants in general is a problem of range and livestock management. Proper diagnosis of livestock poisoning is essential in the identification of specific plant poisoning; however, under range conditions, livestock may eat large quantities of poisonous plants in a short time. Under these conditions, animals may not exhibit typical signs or lesions characteristic of the poisoning.

Symptoms listed for each plant toxicity are those most likely to be observed. Not all symptoms will be seen in all toxicities and signs of poisoning may vary greatly, depending on dosage and the time it takes to consume the dose. Also, individual animals respond differently to poison.

To protect your animals from poisoning:

• Learn to identify the poisonous plants that grow on your range.
• Learn the conditions under which these plants can be dangerous to your livestock.
• Develop a grazing plan to improve your range and prevent poisoning of your livestock by plants. Graze your ranges at the proper time. Do not overgraze them.
• Do not allow animals that have been under stress or that are overly hungry to graze in areas infested with poisonous plants.
• Provide adequate water for your livestock.
• Be especially careful when grazing newly introduced livestock on your range.
• Provide adequate salt and other supplements as needed.
• Control poisonous plants where feasible.

If your animals get sick, consult your local veterinarian to insure proper diagnosis and treatment. If a poisonous plant is involved, identification of the plant is essential for any corrective action.