Poke weed warning

[canesisters]

A good friend lost her great dane this weekend to poke weed poisoning. She was the only dog that I have ever heard of eating enough of them to do real damage. I had always heard that they are so bitter that most animals won't eat enough to do much more than make them vomit and move on to something better to snack on. I have seen my cows take a taste - but rarely more than a leaf or two and then they are obviously sorry about it and walk around gagging and coughing. After this weekend, I'm going on the war path with this. Not a single sprig will grow anywhere that my animals can get to it.

 

[Carol Dee]

Thank you for the warning and my condolences to your friend.

 

[Nyboy]

Thanks I have it growing at kennel

 

[waretrop]

Gees..I thought animals knew that stuff instinctively....guess not...

 

[journey11]

Oh, that is sad. Maybe it happened since a Great Dane is tall enough to reach the berries?

 

[Nyboy]

I once had a client lose her dog because it inhaled some kind of grass, effecting it's lungs.

 

[Smart Red]

I've got that all over here. I guess I'll have to keep it down when the Great Danes move in. Should be late enough this year to be frozen out before they get settled.

 

[digitS']

I don't have a pretty picture of it but @canesisters , if you are going to war against the Poke ..

. what about Jimson weed (in back of pickup and on its way to the garbage can)?


This was growing where a road will go next spring. I really should have looked more carefully into the weeds there. I'm fairly sure that I brought it in with sunflower seed. That's where it has shown up each of the last 3 or 4 years.

What do I need to know about jimson weed? I don't remember having even seen it until a few plants showed up in my garden.

Steve

 

[canesisters]

According to WebMD, that can be a nasty one too

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-suppl...edientId=921&activeIngredientName=JIMSON WEED


Jimson weed is UNSAFE when taken by mouth or inhaled. It is poisonous and can cause many toxic effects including dry mouth and extreme thirst, vision problems, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate, hallucinations, high temperature, seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, breathing problems, and death. The deadly dose for adults is 15-100 grams of leaf or 15-25 grams of the seeds.

Special Precautions & Warnings:
No one should take jimson weed, but certain people are especially at risk for toxic side effects. These side effects are especially dangerous if you have any of the following conditions:

Children: Jimson weed is UNSAFE when taken by mouth or inhaled by children. They are more sensitive than adults to the toxic effects of jimson weed. Even a small amount can kill them.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Jimson weed is UNSAFE for both mother and child when taken by mouth or inhaled.

Congestive heart failure (CHF): Jimson weed might cause rapid heartbeat and make CHF worse.

Constipation: Jimson weed might cause constipation.

Down syndrome: People with Down syndrome might be especially sensitive to the dangerous side effects of jimson weed.

Seizures: Jimson weed can cause seizures. Do not use jimson weed if you suffer from frequent seizures.

Esophageal reflux: In esophageal reflux, food and liquid in the stomach leak backwards into the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach (esophagus). Jimson weed might make this condition worse because it slows down the process that empties the stomach. It also lowers the pressure in the bottom of the esophagus, making it more likely that stomach contents will go back up.

Fever: Jimson weed might make fever worse.

Stomach ulcer: Jimson weed might delay stomach emptying and make ulcers worse.

Stomach and intestinal infections: Jimson weed might slow down the emptying of the stomach and intestines. As a result, “bad” bacteria and the toxins they produce could remain in the digestive tract longer than usual. This could make infections caused by these bacteria worse.

Hiatal hernia: Hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach is pushed up into the chest through a hole or tear in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest space from the stomach space. Taking jimson weed might make hiatal hernia worse. It can slow down the process that empties the stomach.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is an eye disease. It raises the pressure inside the eye and can lead to blindness, if it isn’t treated. Jimson weed is especially dangerous for people with glaucoma because it might raise the pressure inside the eye even more.

Obstructive digestive tract disorders, including atony, paralytic ileus, and stenosis: Jimson weed might make these conditions worse.

Rapid heartbeat: Jimson weed might make this condition worse.

Toxic megacolon: In this life-threatening condition, the large intestine (colon) suddenly becomes extra wide because of an infection or other intestinal disorder. Taking jimson weed might make this condition worse.

Ulcerative colitis: This is an inflammatory bowel disorder that affects the large intestine. Taking jimson weed might make this condition worse.

Difficulty passing urine (urinary retention): Taking jimson weed might make this condition worse.

 

[digitS']

Wow, Debbie!

You realize that this is named for the settlement in Virginia?

I suppose that it was not only there and it isn't possible to hold Virginians responsible for it getting all the way across the continent ..?

Steve