Lily of the valley poisoning in an angora goat

Authors: Gibb MC
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 4, pp 59, Apr 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Goat, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Toxicology, Poisoning - plant
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: We recently treated a goat poisoned by the lily of the valley tree. On Thursday the 30th of December, an adult Angora buck was presented with the following symptoms: projectile vomiting, ataxia, depression, excessive salivation, toxic mucous membranes, weak ruminal movements and a subnormal temperature. The vomiting was spectacular and included numerous leaves of one species of plant. Exploration of the paddock in which the buck had been browsing revealed two known poisonous plants ngaio and foxglove. Although the latter was abundant, and had been eaten, the symptoms did not resemble digitalis poisoning. The paddock abutted a farm homestead against which was a lily of the valley tree Clethra arborea, planted as a specimen for decoration. It has been eaten, and the leaves recovered from the vomitus were obviously from it. Lily of the valley tree is a member of the Erica family and therefore a relative of the rhododendron species. The signs of poisoning matched those of rhododendron poisoning…

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