Clover (was Re: scratches)

["Duncan Fletcher" <dfletche@gte.net>]

Alsike clover damages the liver which is responsible for eliminating a
metabolite of chlorophyll (phylloerythrin). Chlorophyll is, of course, a
constituent of all green plants. When the liver is damaged, the
phylloerythrin accumulates and results in photosensitive reaction. Whether
the liver recovers, depends on the amount of clover ingested.

None of this has anything to do with slobbers caused by other forms of
clover nor do other forms of clover damage the liver.

Duncan Fletcher
dfletche@gte.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas M Gifford" <dpwg@juno.com>


> Jim
> I  used to work for a vet.
> Had a mare that had a white strip down her face.
> She would get sunburned there due to the clover.(Vets Diagnosis)
> (you could always tell from the drooliing mouth that the clover was in
> bloom)
> The clover makes the pink skin hypersensitive to the sun.
[snip]