[tizaala]

McGonnell & Gillatt Equine Veterinary Practice

ACORN POISONING
Please don't ignore the threat of acorn poisoning, and assume that because your horse has always been in the same paddock with an oak tree that everything will be ok. This year the acorns seem to be particularly big and tasty, and many horses and ponies within the practice have been seen actively seeking out the acorns to eat where they haven't bothered previously. Sadly we had our 1st acorn poisoning death this week, and 8-10 other horses and ponies at the same property have been affected. Hopefully the others look as though they're going to make it, but it has been a worrying few days.

[Fowgill Farm]

also watch out for your dog scoffing them.
Max our lab goes out with the pigs and because they wolf them down, he copies them the consequence of which has been a very nasty tummy upset  so we've now stopped him from going in the field.
There are some monster acorns this year have never seen the trees so abundant as they are this year, hope its not the sign of a long hard winter coming!
mandy

[Bionic]

My dog is making a bee line for the acorns too. I wasn't sure if it's as ok or not but I Willa. Old them after reading this.
Thanks Doug

[happygolucky]

Our dogs have not as much as sniffed the acorns yet and we pass plenty on the floor, the funny thing is how influenced they are when watching others, my lab watched me picking greenery when o ut on a walk and started picking at it herself, I had to stop as some was poisonous, I notice our pup copies every thing the others do, so I will keep an eye on that one as there are loads of Acorns around and never gave their toxic value much thought before"!

[Womble]

Are acorns toxic to sheep as well?

[feldar]

Yes acorns can be toxic to sheep if consumed in large quantites. The Ponies on the Forest are hanging under all the oak trees here going to be a bad year i think even though the pigs are out.

[tizaala]

Most animals are susceptible to Quercus poisoning, although cattle and sheep are affected most often. Most species of oak (Quercus spp) found in Europe and North America are considered toxic. Clinical signs occur 3–7 days after consumption of large quantities of young oak leaves in the spring or green acorns in the fall. Fallen trees associated with a recent storm are often reported with outbreaks. Mortality as high as 70% may be observed. Malformed calves and abortions have been reported in dams consuming acorns during the second trimester of pregnancy. The toxic principle, which appears to be pyrogallol, gallotannins, polyhydroxyphenolic compounds, or their metabolites produced by microbial activity in the rumen, causes GI and renal dysfunction.Signs include anorexia, depression, emaciation, brisket edema, dehydration, rumen stasis, tenesmus, smell of ammonia on the breath, serous ocular or nasal discharge, polydipsia, polyuria, hematuria, icterus, and constipation followed by mucoid to hemorrhagic diarrhea. Renal insufficiency, which is evident 4–6 days after exposure, may be characterized by increased BUN and creatinine, proteinuria, glucosuria, hyperbilirubinuria, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and urine with a low specific gravity. Pale swollen kidneys, perirenal edema, subcutaneous edema, ascites, and hydrothorax are common necropsy findings. Edema and subserosal petechial or ecchymotic hemorrhage of intestinal mucosa and ulceration of the esophagus and rumen may be seen. Evidence of hepatotoxicity characterized by elevated liver enzymes may also be present.Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, necropsy, history, and histopathologic examination of the kidney (ie, nephrosis). Other common diseases that resemble oak poisoning include pigweed (Amaranthus spp) poisoning, aminoglycoside antibiotic poisoning, oxalate poisoning, and ochratoxicosis. [size=0.92em]Quercus spp (oak), leave[/size]

[goosepimple]

Thanks for that Tiz, we do have oak in with our mini shetlands and with our goaties who I expect are at risk too, will have a look tomorrow, thanks.