Plants Toxic to Farm and Companion Animals

Toxic plants are responsible for many cases of poisoning of farm and companion animals throughout the world. Livestock and horses may be poisoned when these plants contaminate hay or silage or alternative forages are unavailable. Pets are usually poisoned by plants as a result of accidental ingestion of house or garden plants. This chapter focuses on some of the most geographically widespread toxic plants that have been reported to cause the poisoning of farm and companion animals. It includes a brief description of each plant and reports the toxic principle(s) present, its mode of action, and clinical signs of poisoning.