Poisonous and Sometimes Poisonous Plants for Goats, Symptoms of Poisoning and What to do if You Suspect Poisoning

Common poisonous plants for goats are:

• Azaleas
• Rhododendrons
• Fuchsias
• Hydrangeas
• Oleander
• Laurel
• Foxgloves
• Poppies
• Laburnum
• Bulbs
• Rhubarb leaves
• Larkspur
• Yew
• Lilac
• Lily of the Valley
• Lobelia
• Lilac and Privet - poison the milk.
• Boobyalla - poisons the milk sometimes but not at other times.
• Potato haulm - a cumulative poison, it contains the toxic alkaloid solanin (nightshade).
• Rhubarb leaves and Soursob - contain oxalates. Goats seem to be able to eat them occasionally with no ill effects but it depleats the calcium levels in the goat.
• Cape weed - Calendula artotheca - can be lethal following drought or if pushed out by other animals so there is nothing else to eat. It contains nitrates that convert to poisonous nitrites and Cape Weed only grows where the soil is poor and low in pH.
• Variegated Thistle - contains nitrites in dangerous amounts.
• Sugar Gums and many Eucalyptus - contain hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid) especially in young shoots which is very poisonous to goats.
• Be wary of: Sorghum, Sudan Grass, Linseed, White Clover, and Bitter Almonds as the contain prussic acid. They could be safe if not fed in excessive amounts.
• St John's Wort, Heliotrope, Red Clover contain high amounts of copper and can be toxic to white goats .

Symptoms of poisoning

• Vomiting.
• Foaming around the mouth.

What to do if you suspect poisoning

• Contact your veterinarian immediately.