Jackie and I have talked private on the oleander
issues. But yes, ONE bite CAN kill a horse. I lost a really nice gelding after
he grabbed one bite that was planted along a So. CA bridle trail. I was under
the assumption at the time, "one bite won't kill them". Because of this, I
do not let my horses grab bites along any trail, unless I tell them "bite" and
give them the cue it is OK to do so. This horse was one who liked to just grab
at anything within reach of his mouth as we rode. That behavior was fatal in
this case. Here are some links, and info I shared with Jackie. Not sure on the
low toxic level and making the horses sick, but it indeed, can
kill.
TOXICITY RATING:
High. Ingestion of even small amounts can kill.
ANIMALS AFFECTED: All
animals can be affected.
DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: The entire plant is
toxic. Most animals are poisoned by consuming leaves, fresh or
dried.
CLASS OF SIGNS: Gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac
abnormalities, death (may be sudden).
PLANT DESCRIPTION: This plant
grows outdoors in warmer regions, and in Indiana is grown as a houseplant.
Oleander grows as a shrub or sometimes to the size of a small tree. The
leaves are lance-shaped, thick and leathery, and grow opposite each other.
Sometimes, leaves may grow in whorls. The leaves are 8 to 10 inches long,
although smaller specimens will have shorter leaves. Flowers are showy,
approximately 1 to 3 inches in diameter, and grow in large clusters at the
ends of the branches, and can be white or any shade of pink or
red.
SIGNS: Oleander contains the toxins oleandrin and nerioside, which
very similar to the toxins in foxglove (Digitalis). This is a tropical plant,
but is grown as an ornamental and as a houseplant in Indiana. Apparently
the plant is not palatable, but will be eaten by hungry animals. It is
reported that dried or wilted leaves may be slightly more palatable than
fresh leaves, and the leaves are still toxic when wilted or dried. In one
report with horses, it was indicated that approximately 1/4 pound of leaves
(about 30 or 40 leaves) could deliver a lethal dose to an adult
horse.
Clinical signs may develop rapidly, and the animal may be found
dead with no prior warning. In other cases, depression coupled with
gastrointestinal distress is evident: vomiting (in those species that can
vomit), diarrhea (which may be bloody), and abdominal pain. Irregularities in
the heart rate and rhythm will occur: the heart may speed up or slow down,
and beat erratically. As the toxicosis progresses, the extremities may become
cold and the mucous membranes pale. Trembling and collapse can occur,
followed by coma and death within a few hours.
FIRST AID: If animals
are observed eating oleander, contact a veterinarian immediately. The toxin
acts quickly, and is lethal in small amounts. Emergency measures may be used
to empty the gastrointestinal tract of remaining plant matter, and
medications may be administered to control the effects that the toxin has on
the heart. Despite emergency care, the animal may still die, but the sooner
treatment is begun, the better the prognosis for survival.
SAFETY IN
PREPARED FEEDS: Oleander is extremely toxic, even in small quantities, and
the toxin is not eliminated by drying. Therefore, feeds containing oleander
are never safe for consumption.
PREVENTION: Be able to identify oleander
and exercise extreme caution when pets (and humans) are in the vicinity of
these plants. The plants should never be placed where animals can have
contact with them. Extra care needs to be taken in cases where leaves can
fall into a pasture or in the vicinity of a confined, bored or hungry
animal. **************
"Oleander is one of the most poisonous plants and contains
numerous toxic compounds, many of which can be deadly to people, especially
young children. The toxicity of Oleander is considered extremely high and it
has been reported that in some cases only a small amount had lethal or near
lethal effects "
