Ray less GOLDEN ROD POISONING
This is the first year I have not had reports of horses and cattle getting
the trembles. This is a sign in
goldenrod poisoning. So far in Eddy
County I have not had any calls on sick animals. This is great and is the only
year I can remember not getting any. But
I thought I would review the information anyway just in case. Eddy County usually has problems when it
snows and rayless goldenrod is what is stick up out of the snow. Here is some information you need to
know.
Rayless goldenrod (Haplopappus heterophyllus), rosea, or
goldenrod or jimmy weed, is an erect, bushy,
unbranched perennial shrub, growing from 3 to 4 feet tall. The leaves are
alternate, linear, and sticky, and the flowers are yellow. It is toxic to
horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. The reported toxic substance, trematone, is
the same toxin found in white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), a common
poisonous plant in the Ohio river valley and eastern United States. Trematone is
excreted in the milk of lactating animals so that the young may become poisoned
by the consumption of contaminated milk (milk sickness).
President Lincoln mother was poisoned by consuming milk from
a cow that had eaten White Snakeroot plant.
The toxin is present in both green and dry plant material.
This shrub grows on the dry rangelands from southern Colorado into Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It grows especially well in river valleys and along drainage areas. In Eddy county I find it up on the range lands on sandy and loam soils. Rayless Goldenrod often invades disturbed soil like road sides, oil pad, or around water tanks. Poisoning is most common in late fall and winter, particularly after snowfall that covers other forage or other forages are unavailable. It is often planted as an ornamental along highways in Northern New Mexico.
This shrub grows on the dry rangelands from southern Colorado into Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It grows especially well in river valleys and along drainage areas. In Eddy county I find it up on the range lands on sandy and loam soils. Rayless Goldenrod often invades disturbed soil like road sides, oil pad, or around water tanks. Poisoning is most common in late fall and winter, particularly after snowfall that covers other forage or other forages are unavailable. It is often planted as an ornamental along highways in Northern New Mexico.
Livestock are
affected when daily consumption of 1 to 1.5 percent of an animal's weight of
the green plant for 1 to 3 weeks will produce signs of poisoning in horses,
cattle, and sheep. I have seen it in
goats, but I could not find a reference in publications on that. Death will result if the affected animals are
not removed from access to the plant early. The condition it produces in all
livestock is known as trembles. As the toxin is secreted in milk, nursing young
may become poisoned by consuming milk. The dam may not show any signs of
poisoning when grazing goldenrod. The
animal may not show signs of poisoning until they are moved or exercised.
Signs and Lesions of Poisoning
Lassitude and depression
Stands in a humped-up position; stiff gait when walking
Trembling of muscles of nose and legs, especially after exercise; as the
condition
worsens, the whole body may shake
worsens, the whole body may shake
Weakness
Constipation and dribbling of urine
Recumbency
Acetone or alcohol odor on the
breath
Coma
Terminal respiration consists of prolonged inspiration, a short pause,
and forced
expiration
expiration
Death
Myocardial necrosis and fibrosis of cardiac and skeletal muscles
Degenerative changes of the liver
If you have an animal that show symptoms, try not to move or
excite the animal and feed good quality hay for up to 10 weeks. Treat with mineral oil and activated charcoal
if possible to move the toxic weed out of the digestive system as soon as
possible. Consult with your Veterinarian
immediately after seeing symptoms. Poisoning
of livestock by rayless goldenrod can best be prevented by preventing livestock
from grazing on ranges infested with this plant for extended periods when other
forage is short or snowfall prevents feeding. Rayless goldenrod can be
controlled by picloram or dicamba in late summer following adequate
rainfall. Follow precautions for handling herbicides. For more information contact your local
county agent. There is a Trich meeting
with the State Veterinarian Sunday January 20th CVE in Artessia 3:00
pm. Subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/ Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico
State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and
educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race,
color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State
University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government
Cooperating.
