| Ragwort: The Silent Killer |
|
By Stephen Champion, BSc (Hons) BVM&S MRCVS, A combination of diligence and no small amount of luck have kept the devastating effects of the Foot and Mouth virus from our animals in Perthshire. Yet there is another killer in our midst! One far more insidious and far more deadly. And there are no scientists with computer projections, or omnipotent army brigadiers and their soldiers, to aid in its elimination. This killer is Ragwort. You probably have some in the paddock across from your house and occasionally admire the mass of bright yellow flowers around this time of year. The girl next door kept her pony in that paddock at one time. Haven’t seen it for a while. Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is an extremely toxic plant growing out of control in many parts of Perthshire. It is highly dangerous to livestock, especially horses and cattle causing massive liver destruction and an alarming, tragic death. It contains a poison, called a pyrrolizidine alkaloid. Small intakes of the poison over long periods, in a cumulative fashion, can have the same effect as a large intake on a single occasion. Symptoms of poisoning can appear very quickly or can be delayed weeks or months. Early signs in our horses are a loss of appetite and condition, constipation and sometimes jaundice. In latter stages horses show “sleepy staggers”, restlessness and uncoordinated movements. They are frightened, disorientated and paralysed and die pitifully within a few hours or days. There is no specific treatment. It is too late to do anything but make the animal as comfortable as possible, as it awaits its death! Ragwort poisoning can occur at any time of year, since it can be found in dried grass, hay and silage. It is more palatable to horses following cutting and drying although horses will eat the fresh stuff if food is scarce - the fat, laminitic pony on a diet! Tragically, young animals seem more susceptible than older ones. Those who care for our livestock in Perthshire must learn to recognise this plant, much surrounded by urban myth. Once the enemy has been located, we must understand it and then eliminate it from areas where animals may gain access. KNOW THINE ENEMY! |
.png)
