Oleander - decorative and very poisonous

Authors: Vermunt J
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 8, pp 138-139, Aug 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

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

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Abstract: The decorative, exotic plant Nerijum oleander is a vigorously growing shrub and consequently must be frequently pruned. The leaves and branches from such prunings are the more frequent causes of poisoning, although, of course, animals may be poisoned be direct grazing on the plant. Death is rapid and caused by ventricular fibrillation due to action of cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis. The glycosides act by stimulation followed by paralysis of the vagus nerve. Oleander is one of the more highly toxic plants. Dry leaves are about as toxic as the green ones. Mature cattle may be killed after eating an ounce or less of the green leaves. Toxic doses are 0.0005% of body weight in cattle and even less in horses. Treatment is generally regarded a unrewarding but is symptomatic and atropine has been suggested. Atropine is the recommended treatment in poisoning with digitalisglycosides. On the 20th June 1987 I was called out to investigate the cause of death of three adult dairy cows. When walking through a mob of 100 dairy cattle which were being break-fed, I also noticed, besides the three dead cows four clinically abnormal animals. They were thin, weak and unsteady on their feet, had slightly sunken eyes and were very easy to approach. These four animals were slowly walked to the shed for further examination and treatment. The three dead cows showed no gross abnormalities or lesions and there were no signs of struggling…

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