Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fatal yew (Taxus sp) poisoning in Willamette Valley, Oregon, horses.
- Journal:
- Veterinary and human toxicology
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Cope, R B et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Biomedical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This report describes two adult horses in the central Willamette Valley, Oregon, that died suddenly after eating yew plants, which are known to be very toxic to livestock. These horses were otherwise healthy and showed no signs of distress before their deaths. An examination after they died revealed serious issues in their lungs, indicating a sudden problem with blood circulation. The diagnosis of yew poisoning was confirmed because the horses had eaten yew leaves, which were found in their stomachs, and yew clippings were also discovered in their pasture. Unfortunately, both horses did not survive the poisoning.
Abstract
Despite the well-founded reputation of plants of the genus Taxus as being amongst the most toxic plants for domestic livestock in the US, there are surprisingly few published case reports of yew poisoning in horses. This report documents 2 acute fatalities in horses in the central Willamette Valley, OR associated with the consumption of Taxus sp. The predominant features of the intoxication were peracute death, with no signs of struggling or convulsions, in otherwise fit and well managed adult horses. The most significant gross necropsy findings were limited to pulmonary congestion and hemorrhage, suggestive of acute circulatory disturbance. A diagnosis of Taxus sp poisoning was confirmed on the basis of a history of potential exposure, by the identification of yew leaves in the gastric contents of the horses, and by the subsequent identification of yew clippings in the pasture. The literature relevant to Taxus sp poisoning in horses is reviewed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15487655/