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Discussion on Avocado Dangers?
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Member:
Rubysmom
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Posted on Saturday, May 8, 2004 - 12:36 pm:
I live in SoCal and our horses are kept in pastures with Avocado groves surrounding them.
One of the horses has developed a taste for fresh avocado leaves, and reaches over the fence (he's a BIG boy, over 17 hands) to grab leaves off the trees and eat them.
He is on pretty much free choice hay all day out in his field, so it's not hunger or boredom, as he's turned out with a retired tb mare and a pony, too.
The pony will eat the dead leaves that blow into the pasture, so we take care to rake those out when cleaning the pasture.
We are worried about the big gelding, though, as this is a very recent thing, and we know that avocado leaves can be toxic.
We will ask to have the neighbor cut back his trees, and if need be put another strand of electrical tape over the top of the fence to deter the gelding.
My question is: how toxic is Avocado?
We know of a mare that was kept in a pasture with a few avocado trees, that developed severe edema, but she was fine once removed from the pasture.
Is the toxicity cumulative over time, (which it seems to be from what I"ve seen)?
I did check the database, but not enough info pertaining to horses. Cows and rabbits, and edema and mastitis seem to be the most common symptoms.
Any more info will be appreciated.
Thanks!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 10:09 am:
I am afraid we do not know what the toxic principle is or if it might be a cummulative problem. Avocado poisoning is rare in horses and this is the information I have gleaned off the toxic plant pages and other sites:
Description: PERSEA AMERICANA, or Avocado, grows in warm climates. Poisoning of horses occurs when they have access to leaves, twigs, or seeds. The most often reported sign is a severe noninfectious mastitis. After removal from the diet inflammation subsides within a week.
Other signs seen in alphabetical order: Abnormal lung or pleural sounds, Agalactia, Anorexia, Arrhythmia, Chemosis, Colic, Coughing, Cyanosis, Diarrhea, Dull areas on percussion of chest, thorax, Dyspnea, Generalized weakness, Head, face, ears, jaw, nose, nasal, swelling, Inability to stand, Increased respiratory rate, Mastitis, Muffled, decreased, heart sounds, Reluctant to move, Skin edema, Tachycardia, Underweight, poor condition, thin, emaciated, unthriftiness, ill thrift, Weight loss.
In other species ingestion of large amounts has resulted in death.
DrO
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Member:
Rubysmom
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Posted on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 11:45 am:
Thanks, DrO
Yes, I came up with the same results, not much info regarding avocado toxicity specific to horses.
However, though it seems to be fairly toxic to horses, I am relieved there are no documented instances of avocado ingestion causing death to horses.
We'll keep him from the leaves, anyway.
I do know the barn dog LOVES eating ripe avocados that DrOp off the trees. She has been fine, thank goodness.
Thanks, again. 
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