Content
- Poisoning in humans and animals by the ragwort
- toxicity
- Effect of the poison
- Symptoms of poisoning with ragwort
- Symptoms in horses
- Symptoms in cattle
- Poisoning in humans
- Tips
Animals usually avoid ragwort
Poisoning in humans and animals by the ragwort
In the last 25 years, the broad-leaved ragwort has been spreading, especially on steep terrain and pastures that are rarely mowed. The plant is very dangerous, especially since the poisoning can not be treated so far.
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All plant parts are highly poisonous both for animals and for humans. Even dried in hay or in silage, the toxins are effective. The highest concentration of dangerous substances are flowers and young plants. Normally animals avoid the poisonous plant, with strong spreading and in the first year of the growth (rosette stage) the plant is however eaten frequently. Dried in hay, the cattle no longer differentiate and pick up the highly toxic feed.
Effect of the poison
Jakobsgrill contains so-called Pyrrolizidinalkaloide (PA), which are metabolized in the liver to toxic products. The ingredients work:
Symptoms of poisoning with ragwort
The initially occurring stomach and intestinal complaints are often not associated with the enjoyment of the plant. Acute poisoning causes severe liver damage and poisoning can be deadly.
Particularly sensitive react horses and cattle on the poison of the Jakaobsgreiskrautes. Sheep and goats as well as small animals are also endangered. Treatment of the animals is futile in both acute and chronic poisoning.
Symptoms in horses
Horses lose weight significantly because they refuse to feed. In addition, there are often colic, bloody diarrhea or constipation. Also, uncoordinated movements, photosensitivity, yellowing of the eyelid skin due to liver damage or blindness can be observed. Depending on the body weight of the animal, the lethal dose is between 40 and 80 grams of fresh St. Jacobs herb.
Symptoms in cattle
Here first a reduced milk yield becomes noticeable. The cattle refuse the feed and thereby lose weight. An abnormally filled rumen, watery or bloody diarrhea and lethargy alternating with sudden excitement characterize the further course of the poisoning. The lethal dose is 140 grams of fresh ragwort per kilogram of animal weight.
Poisoning in humans
Poisoning leads to liver disease in humans only after weeks or even years. Often these are no longer associated with the inclusion of Jakobsgreiskraut.
Tips
The hay contaminated areas is no longer suitable as animal feed due to the toxicity of the St. Jacob's herb and must be destroyed or composted.