Top 5 Toxic Plants - Mid-atlantic

Question 1

What is the toxic agent associated with wild cherries?

Answer 1

(Cyanide)

Question 2

How does the toxin associated with wild cherries cause damage in the body?

Answer 2

(It irreversible binds oxygen to hemoglobin → venous blood will be bright ‘cherry’ red)

Question 3

The onset of wild cherry toxicosis is within minutes/hours/days (choose).

Answer 3

(Minutes → 15-20 to be specific)

Question 4

(T/F) Wild cherries are toxic in any stage and any part of the plant.

Answer 4

(F, only the wilted leaves are toxic)

Question 5

What is the treatment for wild cherry toxicosis?

Answer 5

(Sodium thiosulfate and sodium nitrate combo, 100-250ml IV)

Question 6

The onset of Japanese yew toxicosis is within minutes/hours/days (choose).

Answer 6

(Hours → 1-3 to be specific)

Question 7

What is the toxic agent associated with Japanese yew plants?

Answer 7

(Taxine)

Question 8

What are the clinical signs associated with buckeye toxicosis? Two answers.

Answer 8

(Stilted gait/goose stepping and down with hyperesthesia)

Question 9

What are the two principle toxins associated with buckeye toxicosis?

Answer 9

(Aesculin and fraxin, both are glycosides)

Question 10

What organ is affected by Japanese yew toxicosis?

Answer 10

(The heart)

Question 11

What organ is affected by buckeye toxicosis?

Answer 11

(The brain)

Question 12

The onset of buckeye toxicosis is within minutes/hours/days (choose).

Answer 12

(Hours → 12-24)

Question 13

What is the treatment for buckeye toxicosis?

Answer 13

(Sedation (xylazine/acepromazine) and monitoring to prevent injury until the toxins leave their system)

Question 14

What organ is affected by acorn toxicosis?

Answer 14

(Kidney, causes renal tubular necrosis; also GI but that’s not what kills them, causes watery black diarrhea)

Question 15

The onset of acorn toxicosis is within minutes/hours/days (choose).

Answer 15

(Days until clinical signs are apparent)

Question 16

What is the treatment for acorn toxicosis?

Answer 16

(Supportive (IV and oral fluids), usually unrewarding)

Question 17

What is the typical presentation of a cow with acorn toxicity?

Answer 17

(ADR with dark diarrhea +/- ruminal distension d/t fluid)

Question 18

What is the toxic agent associated with acorns?

Answer 18

(Tannins)

Question 19

(T/F) If pregnant cows ingest a non-lethal amount of acorns, it can result in birth defects in the calf.

Answer 19

(T)

Question 20

Why does fescue cause early embryonic death in cows that are bred during the summer?

Answer 20

(Because fescue raises body temp by 1-2 degrees and in addition to the heat of the summer, makes the cows body temp incompatible for an embryo)

Question 21

You are presented with a goat that has generalized weakness. While you are examining it, the goat projectile vomits all over you. What is wrong with this goat?

Answer 21

(It has rhododendron toxicosis, tx is supportive care)

Question 22

What is the pathogenesis of nitrate toxicity?

Answer 22

(Hemoglobin gets converted into methemoglobin, can no longer bind oxygen and patient will be anoxic → exercise intolerant, down, ‘seizures’, and belligerent)

Question 23

What is the treatment for nitrate toxicity?

Answer 23

(Methylene blue IV (1% solution at 10mg/kg; or 1cc vitamin C per 5 pounds if methylene blue unavailable)

Question 24

What clinical sign is associated with spiny pigweed toxicosis?

Answer 24

(ADR)

Question 25

What organ system is affected by spiny pigweed toxicosis? (Kidneys)

Answer 25

(Kidneys)

Question 26

What clinical signs are associated with jimson weed toxicosis?

Answer 26

(Increased resp rate, increased heart rate, and frequent urination and defecation)

Question 27

What clinical sign is associated with perilla mint toxicosis?

Answer 27

(Causes acute resp distress → panting)